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Cat 'completely fine' after rescue from drainpipe

John got stuck in a pipe sparking a huge amount of interest in her predicament.

The owner of a cat who had to be rescued from a drainpipe said she was "relieved" her pet is fine, and has thanked firefighters for their help.

Cassie, from Clevedon in Somerset, said her female cat John snuck into the garage when she was unloading her car on Friday night.

On Saturday morning when John did not show up for breakfast, Cassie checked in the garage - where she could only see her head "poking out" of the pipe in the ceiling.

She called Avon Fire and Rescue Service, who sent a crew from Clevedon Fire Station to perform the rescue.

Cassie A black cat called John is sitting on her owner's lap at their home in Clevedon. She is being petted and has her eyes closed.Cassie
John is completely fine, her owner Cassie said
Clevedon Fire Station A black cat's head is sticking out of a pipe in a garage in Clevedon. Around the pipe is white plasterwork of the walls and ceilingClevedon Fire Station
John was found firmly stuck in the drainpipe

"It seemed so extreme," Cassie added. "But I suppose it was that extreme, she was stuck. I needed her to be OK."

The firefighters cut out the section of pipe the one-year-old cat was stuck in.

They then drove her in their fire engine over to Vets4Pets Clevedon.

"The looks we got in the waiting room when we walked through with the cat stuck in a pipe and the firefighters - it was funny," Cassie said.

Members of the fire crew had to carefully cut John out of the pipe before the vet made sure she was not in pain.

"They [the firefighters] were really careful and put her wellbeing first," Cassie added.

Clevedon Fire Station A firefighter is sawing the pipe off of John the cat at the vets in Clevedon. Two other people have their hands on the cat while the firefighter, who is wearing a khaki-coloured uniform with bright yellow stripes on the elbowsClevedon Fire Station
Firefighters had to saw the pipe to get John out of it once at the vet

By the time John was safely back home, the story had made headlines around the country and beyond.

"I took her back home and she had a nap on me. We had a cuddle," said Cassie.

"When she woke up I picked up my phone and saw she'd blown up online. I didn't realise she'd get so much attention."

She also explained the mystery of John having a male name.

"My son is obsessed with the name John," she said. "If I ask him to name something, it's always John."

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