Leia, a cat from Deal, has made a remarkable recovery after being trapped under floorboards for three weeks. She went missing during nearby home renovations and was finally found when neighbors heard her meowing beneath their newly laid floor.
Leia’s owners believe she became stuck during the renovation work. Remarkably, she survived, possibly by drinking from an open can of beer found near her.
Kelly Cooper, whose father Ben Smith owns Leia, told BBC Radio Kent that after the ordeal, Leia was initially “resentful and cross” with him but has since warmed up again, often curling up on his knee. Ms. Cooper said Leia is visibly gaining weight and recovering well.
When rescued, Leia was “euphoric,” playing, eating, and drinking, though she spent a couple of days resting afterward. Ms. Cooper and her father had been searching for Leia for weeks, staying in close contact with their supportive neighbors. The neighbors first heard Leia’s meows, prompting them to cut a hole in the floor and discover the cat.
The cat likely slipped under the floor unnoticed during the renovations. Ms. Cooper described the moment of discovery as overwhelming for the family. The open beer can nearby remains a mystery, but the family suspects Leia may have drunk from it, as she seemed sleepy when found.
To find Leia, Ms. Cooper distributed leaflets in the area and hired a pet detective. The neighbors think the cat’s cries went unheard for so long due to the ongoing noise from the construction work.
