'Abandoned' kitten rescued by hiker on coast path

A kitten thought to have been abandoned has been rehomed after she approached a Royal Navy engineer in Cornwall and refused to stop climbing up his leg.

Bramble, who was no more than 10-12 weeks old, ran over to Billy Kelland and his three friends as they were hiking along the coast path at Porthcurno.

Mr Kelland carried Bramble back along the path wrapped in a wool hat inside his open rucksack before calling his mother, Katie Spencer, for help.

Ms Spencer contacted Cats Protection Cornwall Cat Centre in Carnon Downs but eventually decided to take on the lost kitten.

Gemma Reid, from Cornwall Cat Centre, condemned those who had left the kitten on the cliffs.

She said: "It's never acceptable to abandon a pet and we would urge anyone who is struggling to contact us."

Ms Reid, a rehoming and welfare assistant at the charity, said cat abandonments had increased by 71% over the past three years nationwide.

When Bramble was found she was dirty from being outside, and there was evidence she had fleas, which can cause anaemia in kittens.

The centre said she was also sneezing, had watery red eyes, was struggling to breathe and her meow was "raspy", all signs of highly infectious cat flu.

"It's likely she would have died a painful death if she'd remained out in the elements with her cat flu untreated," added Ms Reid.

But Bramble is now settled in her new home with Ms Spencer and Mr Kelland makes frequent visits to his feline friend.

Ms Spencer said: "Bramble is an absolute sweetheart and loving life. Our front room currently looks like a kitten play gym, but when bedtime comes, I carry her up to her room, tuck her in, and we don't hear a peep until morning."

"She loves nothing more than snuggling right into our necks and gives the gentlest, most heart-melting cuddles and purrs.

"She truly is a special and happy little lady and we love her."

Ms Reid said: "We're thrilled that Bramble has found such a loving home after her extremely tough start in life."

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