Cat rescued from walls of newly-built Point Cook home

RESCUERS smashed through plaster to save a kitten clinging to life after enduring weeks in the walls of a newly-built home. Little Destiny was the only survivor. SEE THE RESCUE.

A KITTEN named Destiny escaped a tragic fate when rescuers smashed through plaster to find her clinging to life after enduring weeks wedged behind the wall of a newly built Melbourne home.

Miracle kitten Destiny was dehydrated, hungry but alive.

Rescuers save the lucky kitten, that was soon named Destiny, from behind the home’s wall. Picture: Ian Currie

Her saviour Jade Cranwell heard distressing “cat cries” within the walls of her new Port Cook rental.

NEGLECTED PUPPIES RESCUED IN MAJOR RSPCA OPERATION

HERO FIREYS: MELBOURNE FIREFIGHTERS RESCUED 160 ANIMALS FROM DANGER

She said it took weeks to organise the dramatic rescue due to bureaucratic buck-passing between the council, RSPCA and the real estate agent.

After a fortnight, Ms Cranwell enlisted the help of Western Suburbs Cat and Kitten Rescue and experienced volunteer Nevenka Kozic, who cut through the wall.

But the rescuers held out little hope they would find any cats alive.

Destiny today. Picture: Ian Currie

Destiny after the rescue.

Destiny was pulled out barely alive and looking like “a bag of bones”, while four of her litter mates tragically did not survive.

Ms Cranwell adopted the month-old kitten and said she had chosen to name her Destiny in reference to the Destiny’s Child hit song Survivor.

“Because she’s a survivor — she’s resilient and she’s already got some sass about her,” she said.

Ms Cranwell is also planning legal action against the real estate agents and has complained of animal cruelty after the agents knowingly left kittens stuck at the property.

“We moved in and that night we could hear them meowing — we could hear it from the air conditioner ducts,” Ms Cranwell said.

“It was traumatic.”

Jade Cranwell found kitten Destiny inside a wall cavity in her Point Cook home.

Ms Cranwell with the newly-rescued Destiny.

“I’m heartbroken to think that we have been sitting eating our dinner and watching TV while there are animals dying in our walls,” Ms Cranwell said.

She said the housemates called the RSPCA and local council and was offered cat traps, but there was no one made available to rescue the kittens.

After a fortnight, they turned to the volunteer rescue group. The RSPCA said it was concerned by the chain of events described and will investigate the incident.

The organisation is investigating the animal cruelty claims and will also launch an internal review of its own procedures.

RSPCA spokeswoman Sophie Buchanan said: “RSPCA Victoria is deeply concerned by the chain of events described and will investigate the incident.

“We refer all reports of this nature to the SES or fire services, as they have the specialist expertise and equipment to manage these types of incidents.

“As part of our investigation, we will review our internal procedures to ensure we are making these referrals as quickly and clearly as possible.”