» RSPCA looking to trace owners of ‘stray’ goldfish after bizarre discovery
MYSTERY surrounds the bizarre discovery made by a woman in Cheltenham, who opened her front door to find a goldfish flapping about on her doorstep.
The fish, which was still alive, was saved by the woman with a washing up bowl full of water, and now the search is on for someone who might be missing a fish.
The RSPCA have taken the fish in to look after it - and say it may well have been left by a cat, or even plucked from a garden pond and then dropped by a bird.
The bizarre discovery was made by a woman on Friday, as she stepped out of her house in the Prestbury area of the town.
After her initial surprise at finding a still-alive fish on her doorstep in Buttercross Lane, her quick thinking saved the little swimmer, before RSPCA inspector Richard Carr arrived.
“This was not your usual type of animal rescue call,” he said, with a degree of understatement.
“My first ever stray fish! The caller had discovered this goldfish flapping around on her doorstep. We don’t know if it was brought there by a cat, or maybe dropped by a bird.
“Thankfully, she was able to put the fish in her washing up bowl and gave us a call. She has spoken to her neighbours and not been able to find any potential owner,” he added.
How the fish got to the doorstep remains a mystery, but there are clues.
“The fish has some damage on the sides and is missing quite a few scales but is swimming ok in a quarantine aquarium with some treatment to hopefully aid recovery,” said Insp Carr.
“If anyone is missing a goldfish from their pond in the Buttercross Lane area in Cheltenham, please let us know as this could be your fish.
“We’d like to be able to get it back to you!” he added.
If anyone has any information about where this goldfish is from please call the inspector information line on 0300 123 8018.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
My first ever stray fish! The caller had discovered this goldfish flapping around on her doorstep RSPCA Inspector Richard Carr