Surgeons at RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital save sight of cat who is hoping now for a new home

Minerva, the one year old tabby cat, was stuck on the first floor window ledge about 13-ft high after a pigeon spike became impaled in her eye.

A member of the public spotted her in Fernhead Road, Paddington, and contacted the RSPCA for help. Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Eleanor Davies was called to rescue Minerva and managed to detach her from the fence and bring her to RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital to have the long spike which was embedded 6 centimetres into her eye removed under anaesthetic.

Joanne Elmes, RSPCA Putney Animal Hospital administrator, said: “Animals constantly amaze even the most experienced vets and nurses here at Putney. This poor girl was found impaled on a fence by a pigeon spike and was completely stuck and in a lot of distress.

“It was a very long spike and was six centimetres into her eye! Amazingly, it missed the pupil and even more amazingly, it doesn’t seem to have caused any serious trauma either to her skull or her sight as far as the vets can tell. Her right eye has been a little weepy and sore but Minerva has been so brave and recovered so well.”

She was named Minerva after the brave Roman goddess and the naming theme follows a tiny kitten called Boudicca, a celtic warrior queen, who staff at Putney cared for when she suffered serious injuries to her jaw after being bitten by a dog. The staff believe Minerva is a stray cat so she will be microchipped and spayed at the hospital before heading to RSPCA Southall Cattery in Hounslow soon.

The RSPCA believes anti-perching devices, such as spines, are a humane way of trying to minimise the problems some birds can cause. The spines are usually angled so that they are awkward to land on but will not impale the bird. These spikes are considered an effective means of deterring birds from buildings, as their use should prevent perching or roosting without harming the birds - or other animals.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit the website.

May 7, 2019