Battling poor access, they hauled the terrified cat from the water and rushed him to the vets, soaked and freezing cold.<\/p>\n
Dewsbury-based firefighter Andrew Lindley said: \u201cHe had no strength left to get himself out. He\u2019d had enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
His rescuers and staff at Calder Vets in Savile Town think the young black and white moggy could have been thrown into the canal near Forge Lane.<\/p>\n
They are now appealing for his owners to reclaim him or for someone to offer a good home.<\/p>\n
Andrew and his Blue Watch colleague Christopher Ridge were cycling home from a night shift when they heard noise from the canal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stopped and there he was,\u201d said Andrew, from Kettlethorpe. \u201cWe grabbed him, wrapped in a T-shirt and stuffed him in Chris\u2019s rucksack to go to the vets\u2019. The cat had probably been in the water a while. He was in a stretch which is hard to reach due to a concrete surround and we had to scrabble down to reach him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris, who lives in Wrenthorpe, said: \u201cIt was certainly our good deed for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calder Vets nurse Kylie Greenwood said: \u201cHe snuggled up to us. He is really friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The cat had no injuries but was in severe shock. There were signs he had been scratching to get out of the canal.<\/p>\n
Nicknamed Tom \u2013 after Olympic diving hero Tom Daley \u2013 the two-year-old is now recovering.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact he is neutered and wearing a nice collar suggests he has been well cared for,\u201d said Kylie. \u201cWe don\u2019t know just what happened, but he was most likely put into the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RSPCA will collect Tom for re-homing unless he is claimed.<\/p>\n
Contact Calder Vets on 01924 465592.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Battling poor access, they hauled the terrified cat from the water and rushed him to the vets, soaked and freezing cold. Dewsbury-based firefighter Andrew Lindley said: \u201cHe had no strength left to get himself out. He\u2019d had enough.\u201d His rescuers and staff at Calder Vets in Savile Town think the young black and white moggy<\/p>\n