Treated at Putney Animal Hospital having been found impaled on railings


Skittles has now fully recovered - image Shanakei Forde

Vet charity PDSA is looking for London pets to enter into its Pet Survivor Awards, which celebrate those furry companions who have survived serious injury or illness against all the odds.

An early entry into this year’s competition is Skittles, a cat who made headlines when he was found impaled on railings. The poor ginger Tom was rescued by the local fire brigade, who had to cut through the railings to free him.


Skittles was freed by London Fire Brigade Image: RSPCA

He was taken to a local vet where careful surgery removed the railings from his body. Miraculously they had missed all vital organs an arteries. He was then taken to RSPCA in Putney, where they were finally able to trace the poor puss’s owner, Shanakei Forde, and they were tearfully reunited. Skittles was then transferred to Hendon PDSA Pet Hospital for a further operation and follow up treatment.


Putney RSPCA Animal Hospital

Skittles has since made a full recovery and is being entered into the PDSA Pet Survivor Awards to recognise his incredible bravery, as well as all those who helped to save his life. Shanakei said: “When I saw the pictures I couldn’t believe my eyes that it was him. It was so shocking. It’s a miracle that he survived, and was even still alert with three poles stuck through him. He’s made such an incredible recovery – you wouldn’t even know anything had happened to him now.

“He’s a tough cat, but we’re pretty sure he’s lost at least one of his nine lives. We’re entering him into PDSA Pet Survivor to thank all the people that helped in his rescue and recovery.”

The awards are open to any pet treated by a vet in the UK for a life-threatening illness or injury between 1 January 2017 and 31 August 2018. Pet owners wishing to nominate their pet can enter online at www.pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor. The closing date is midnight on Sunday 9 September 2018.

The winner will be decided by a public vote later in the year and will be crowned PDSA Pet Survivor of the Year 2018. They will receive a trophy, plus a luxury pet hamper.

The PDSA Pet Survivor Awards are supported by Animal PoisonLine, a 24-hour advice line for owners who are concerned that their pets have come into contact with something potentially poisonous.

August 17, 2018