A cat missing for more than three weeks has been rescued after being found trapped between a wall and a kitchen unit—almost three miles from her home in Wembley.
Celeste, a two-year-old tabby, was discovered by a resident on Wood Road in Harlesden after he realised the meowing sound he’d been hearing for four days was coming from inside his kitchen wall. On 8 July, he called in a plumber, who then contacted the RSPCA.
Animal Rescue Officer Eve Mannings, who attended the scene, said: “The cat was hissing and growling at first. But she immediately started meowing when she realised I was helping her. Cats can squeeze into tight spots but it is a mystery how she came to be here.
“The plumber dismantled part of the wall and kitchen to reach her—and has very kindly offered to repair everything free of charge!”
Once Celeste was rescued, Eve scanned her for a microchip and confirmed she had been reported missing more than three weeks earlier. She said: “When I got to her, she was extremely skinny and had a low body condition score. I scanned her for a microchip and discovered that she was Celeste, a missing cat reported more than three weeks ago. The location she disappeared from was nearly a 15-minute drive away.”
Celeste was taken straight to her vet, where she was treated for a broken paw. She has since been reunited with her owner, Dianne, and is now recovering at home.
Dianne said: “I am so grateful I was reunited with Celeste—she’s my baby.
“It’s thanks to the resident who found her and the RSPCA. I’m truly grateful. I also really appreciated the advice and support from Eve after we were reunited.
“If it wasn’t for the microchip, I would never have seen Celeste again. I strongly urge all cat owners to make sure their pets are microchipped!”
Since 10 June 2024, it has been a legal requirement in England for all owned cats over 20 weeks old to be microchipped, with owners facing fines of up to £500 if they fail to comply.
The RSPCA continues to remind pet owners that microchipping is the best way to help reunite lost or injured animals with their families.
“We’re so glad the plumber called us—it could have been a very sad ending otherwise,” said Eve. “Thankfully, it’s a happy one.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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