Owner appeal after cat's 110-mile trip in packing crate

Jul 10 2009 by Edward Chadwick, Birmingham Mail

STRETCHED out in the sun and without a care in the world, it’s hard to imagine the ordeal Harvey the cat has had.

But the tabby’s calm exterior belies the drama which befell him when he wandered into a packing crate in Birmingham – and was sent 110 miles to Wales.

Staff at Cwmbran-based car parts firm Girling were amazed after opening a consignment to see the stowaway pet inside.

Harvey, thought to be about nine months old and said to have been well looked after, is now settling in with the mother of a Girling factory worker.

But the Gwent Cats Protection League today appealed to Birmingham Mail readers to help reunite Harvey with his owners and send him back home.

“He’s the most lovable and laid back cat you can imagine,” said Joan Charles, who is looking after the exiled cat.

“It’s amazing he didn’t suffocate in the crate and we have no idea how long he was in there for because Girlings are on a three-day week.

“He must have been very well looked after because he is so trusting of people.”

The retired secretary, whose son, David, works at Girling, said she had taken the cat to a vet to be checked over but he was showing no signs of trauma.

Mrs Charles decided to call the cat Harvey because she had always liked the name. “I’d love to keep him because he’s a beautiful cat but he needs to be back with his owner,” she added.

Harvey was found on June 29 when staff opened a box which came from a firm in Birmingham. The historic company manufactures brakes for cars and trailer units but cannot be sure from which firm the cat arrived as it uses up to a dozens suppliers from the Birmingham area.

Loretta Kedward, from the Gwent Cats Protection League, said: “Harvey hasn’t been microchipped but he’s quite distinctive.”