Elusive “tin can cat” captured after days without food and water

For days Monty was seen running the streets of Wattle Grove with a tin can on his head. But no one could get close enough to help him. Until now.

Veterinarian nurse Sandy Abrahams said Monty was so lucky to have the local community rallying to try and catch him to remove the tin can from his head. Picture: Robert Pozo

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For days Monty was seen running the streets of Wattle Grove with a tin can on his head.

He became famous on social media. Every time he was spotted, a post was put on a Facebook page alerting others, to help nab the elusive creature.

The cat was eventually cornered in a drain and captured by the fire brigade, with help from a handful of local residents who had been actively searching for him.

After more than five days without food and water, the cat had lost weight.

This made it relatively easy for Moorebank Vet Hospital staff to remove the tin can last Tuesday night.

Veterinarian nurse Sandy Abrahams said the cat had caused damage to himself, putting his two canines through his lip in an attempt to remove the tin can.

Monty was captured and taken to Moorebank Vet Hospital after days without food and water.

The Moorebank Vet Hospital team work on Monty.

“He was extremely dehydrated, so we hooked him up to a drip with antibiotics and pain killers,” she said.

“And as of yesterday, he has a new home. We’re so happy for him.”

Ms Abrahams said their in-house adoption process only costs $110 to adopt a male cat and $160 for a female. They come vaccinated, microchipped, full health check and desexed.

“We work really hard to find owners for stray cats — there have been times we’ve had 20 kittens at once,” she said.

“But this is what we’re all about. We do it for the love of it.”

The Moorebank business is no stranger to helping out the strays. More recently they spent more than $4000 helping a cat that was hit by a car.

“Sabrina came in five weeks ago after being hit by a car on Henry Lawson Drive opposite the East Hills bridge.

Monty had put his canines through his lip in an attempt to remove the tin can.

“She was chipped but we couldn’t reach the owner. We commenced treatment anyway.”

Nurse Lauren Stam was on when the black and white cat came into the clinic.

“She had a shattered pelvis and was in shock. Animals can die from the shock.,” she said.

“She was rapidly breathing. We didn’t think she was going to make it.”

Veterinarian Dr Mazen Al-Obiadi with Sabrina, who is now looking for a home after a five week stint at Moorebank Vet Hospital. Picture: Robert Pozo

Staff visited the owner’s house but no one was there.

“We found out the owners had moved out five weeks prior. Now that Sabrina is all healed, we need to find her a new home now.”

Ms Abrahams said they saw some really horrible cases through their door, but knowing they were part of helping find good homes for stray and abandoned animals was rewarding.

Details: 8798 6242.