Horror car trip has purrfect ending

A cat is lucky to be alive after it “unbelievably survived” a 4.5 hour trip from Auckland to New Plymouth clinging on for dear life stuck in a car grille.

An Auckland man made the nonstop 360km journey in his Chevy Camaro, unaware a cat was hiding in the grille space.

The severely injured cat wasn’t discovered until the car was parked outside a New Plymouth hotel where passers-by alerted the SPCA and rushed the injured cat to the vet.

North Taranaki SPCA said the brave cat is “the face of a miracle and unbelievable survival story” after he lost his claws, became hypothermic and suffered severe shock during the 4.5 hour trip.

“The beautiful cat was hiding in the grille space on the very front of the car and hanging on so hard he lost claws.

“He was in severe shock and hypothermic — it was touch and go initially. But just looking at yesterday’s video he is moving, eating, drinking, totally unconcerned about being at the vets.”

The cat is believed to have climbed into the grille in the Auckland suburb of Glenfield. The SPCA’s Facebook page was quickly filled with comments.

One person wrote: “He must have been terrified. Hope he finds his way back to his family.”

Another said: “What a beauty. I bet someone in Auckland is heartbroken. Hope his home is found.”

The North Taranaki SPCA has appealed to anyone who recognises the white and dark grey cat to contact them on (06) 758 2053.—