SUSSEX, UK – A newborn kitten has survived an 80-mile trip across the country having become separated from his mother in a builder’s digger.
Digby, so named after his tedious ordeal, is believed to have travelled from a site on the M40 to Hastings, Sussex, on Saturday April 23.
He then survived for one additional day before being discovered by workers in the bucket of the digger when they began their shift on Monday morning.
Sadly, Digby was the only one of his litter who survived the trip – the two other kittens he was with had died by the time they were discovered.
Builder Martin Dewsnapp scooped up the three-day-old kitten in an ice-cream tub and immediately took him to the RSPCA’s Sussex East and Hastings branch, also also known as Bluebell Ridge Cattery.
He stated: “The digger driver was carrying out his usual checks on the machinery when he found the three kittens.
“Sadly, two were already dead but one was alive.
“You expect to find the diesel low or something, but don’t expect to see cats inside!”
The RSPCA said it was a “miracle” that Digby even managed to survive without his mother, who has not been sighted.
RSPCA spokeswoman Amy De-Keyzer stated: “We don’t know whether the mum got into the digger to try and find somewhere warm and safe to give birth, or whether they were dumped, so it’s all a bit of a mystery.”
While it can’t be sure, the charity believes the litter were probably born there just before their mother was frightened away.
Digby is now doing well after being adopted by new mother cat named Muffin and welcomed into her four-kitten brood.
He will certainly be cared for by staff at the Sussex centre until he is old enough to be rehomed.
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