Hurt cat finds its way to vet

Published on Friday 29 August 2008 21:40

A CAT seriously injured after being hit by a car has made an incredible recovery – after managing to drag itself off the road and find his own way to the vet.

Bogart was left with a smashed leg and hip after being run over near his home. But rather than lying down and hoping help would come, the puss limped to the house of the person best qualified to save him.

The cat's owner, Laura Hughes, of Pittenweem in Fife, said that Bogart had visited local vet John Ferguson in the past, but even she couldn't believe the black and white cat was clever enough to find his way to his garden. The vet now practises in the fishing village of St Monans but used to run his surgery from home.

Ms Hughes said: "How he found his way there is a mystery, but it certainly made the difference and saved his life."

Bogart, who is 11, suffered a triple leg fracture, hip displacement and extreme shock in the accident, which is believed to have happened on the same busy stretch of road where his brother Humphrey was killed by a car.

Mr Ferguson was initially concerned that the cat's injuries were so severe he would be forced to put it down. But because he was able to act quickly and take Bogart to a nearby clinic, the animal survived.

Ms Hughes said: "It's a miracle, really. He'd been to the vet's house years ago – but he doesn't even run his surgery from there any more."

Mr Ferguson took Bogart to St Monans for treatment – but only found out where he lived a week later when the Hughes family put a leaflet about their missing cat through the surgery door .

Ms Hughes said she, her husband Billy and three-year-old daughter Eve were delighted to have Bogart back at home.

"He's not eating very much and he's in a lot of discomfort, but he's a big, strong cat. He's lively, noisy and in your face."

She said the family faced vet's bills of more than 1,000 but added: "He's well worth it."

"He's not allowed to stand up or walk around yet because he's got pins in his leg, but the vet says he'll be able to get around again in about four weeks."

She found it hard to believe he really knew where he was going. "I think it is just a coincidence. The chances of a cat finding the vet's house are just about zero."