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Christmas kitten Miracle is saved from death as RSPCA climbs into bin to rescue 10-week-old cat

Dumped in an industrial bin and left to die, Miracle is the kitten who will live to see Christmas thanks to a charity’s rescue operation.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 24th Dec 2019, 12:46 BST- 2 min read
Updated 27th Dec 2019, 10:32 BST
A photo of the kitten taken by the RSPCA after one of its inspectors climbed into a bin to rescue the cat.A photo of the kitten taken by the RSPCA after one of its inspectors climbed into a bin to rescue the cat.
A photo of the kitten taken by the RSPCA after one of its inspectors climbed into a bin to rescue the cat.

The 10-week-old tortie and white female was heard meowing by a passerby the day before she was found.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Shane Lynn got to the scene, in an alley off Providence Row in Durham,

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Shane said: “It seems incredibly unlikely that this kitten got into the bin on her own.

The cat was found in the filthy bin by the charity.The cat was found in the filthy bin by the charity.
The cat was found in the filthy bin by the charity.
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“It was one of those big industrial bins and the lid was down.

“There was nothing else in it apart from her so whoever closed the lid couldn’t have missed her being inside.

“I had to use a ladder to climb into the bin and get her out so there was no way she was going to be able to do so herself.

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“There was metal fencing with signs saying ‘keep out’ so if she was dumped then the person responsible had no intention she’d be found.”

The industrial bin was in Providence Row in Durham and was fenced off to people. Image copyright Google Maps.The industrial bin was in Providence Row in Durham and was fenced off to people. Image copyright Google Maps.
The industrial bin was in Providence Row in Durham and was fenced off to people. Image copyright Google Maps.

Though she was very scared and hungry following her discovery, at 4.45pm on Friday, December 20, she is healthy,

She was checked over at a vets and is settling in well with one of the RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub’s foster carers.

“She was so lucky. She could have died in there,” said Shane.

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“It was a Christmas miracle that she was heard, and that the member of the public who did so was actually able to find her, and we’ve decided that should be her name - Miracle.

Miracle is now on the way to a better life thanks to the RSPCA.Miracle is now on the way to a better life thanks to the RSPCA.
Miracle is now on the way to a better life thanks to the RSPCA.

“She’ll stay in foster care over the Christmas and New Year period and the hub will look for a new home for her after that.”

If anyone has any information about how she came to be in the bin - or thinks she may belong to them - they can call the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

County Durham saw 98 abandoned animals reported to its cruelty line last December and it is already caring for many animals abandoned this festive season.

This winter, the RSPCA expects to take in more than 10,000 animals in need across England and Wales and donations to help its work can be made via www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness.