A group of quick-thinking pub-goers saved a hamster from the clutches of a hungry cat by scooping it up into an empty pint glass.
The tiny Syrian hamster, later named Sunflower, was being chased down a busy road in Harwich, Essex, when the revellers intervened, using the only object they could find to rescue it.
After being taken to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Wherstead, near Ipswich, Sunflower was found to be underweight but otherwise healthy. Following a stint in a foster home, the lucky hamster has now been rehomed, safe from any further feline encounters.
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Tara Schafer, foster coordinator at Blue Cross in Suffolk, said: “We’re amazed she managed to survive both the cat and the busy road.
“Thank goodness she was spotted and scooped up and taken to safety.
“She was given the name Sunflower as she was happily snacking on them on her way to our centre.
“We’re happy to report that after some time and care in one of our foster homes we found Sunflower a loving new home safe indoors.”
Her new owner from Thetford, Norfolk, said: “I chose Sunflower because I loved her rescue story and thought her name was cute.”
She even admits to a nickname swap, revealing, “Although now we do sometimes call her Pumpkin.”
It seems Sunflower, or should we say Pumpkin, is living the dream with her update: “She’s getting spoiled daily with various foods and lots of love.”
As if that isn’t adorable enough, she added: “She’s settled well and is always happy to come to your hand chirping away when you approach the cage. That’ll probably be all the food”.
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