Lucky in last-chance saloon

Lucky break number one came after the white tabby was knocked down and left to die in the street in Sedgley last weekend. A Good Samaritan came to the rescue and rushed the badly injured animal to the local branch of St George's veterinary practice in time. The fortunate feline was taken to the group's hospital in Wolverhampton city centre.

Experts discovered £700 worth of treatment was needed to repair multiple pelvic fractures and internal injuries.

The RSPCA and the Cat Protection League offered £100 each and the Sour Valley Cat Rescue promised a further £200, but even that generosity was not sufficient to cover the expected medical bill.

The cat faced the grim prospect of being put down until saved by lucky break number two.

Kind-hearted vets at the practice took pity on her plight and decided to fund the the surgery themselves.

Her operation was set to be complete today but staff need the guarantee of a home to go to following full recovery, if space is to be found at the busy animal hospital for the six weeks that recuperation is expected to take.

Hannah Ross, a 25-year-old student nurse at the veterinary practice in St George's Parade, said: "Lucky has won the hearts of everybody here and we are determined to do everything we can to save her.

"With good fortune she should be able to make a full recovery, but we need to know she has a good home to go to on the completion of treatment for that to happen.

"We are appealing to the public for help – it would be terrible if the cat had to be put to sleep after displaying such a marvellous will to live."

The animal is aged around four to six and was wearing a distinctive pink gingham collar when found after the road accident last Saturday.

Anybody who believes they might be the owner or who could offer a home after she has recovered should contact the vets on 01902 425262.