Southend shopping centre cat stuck on roof is rescued

Members of the public spotted a cat stuck on the roof of the Victoria Shopping Centre in Chartwell Square on Friday.

Southend Victoria councillor Mandy O’Connor contacted the Cat Lady TNR charity in a desperate bid to bring the cat to safety. 

Rescue - Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Victoria Shopping Centre (Image: Cat Lady TNR)

Charity founder Melissa Firrell assessed the situation and agreed to try and rescue the cat the following day.

She said: “On Friday evening we had a phone call from councillor Mandy O’Connor explaining that she’s been informed about a cat that’s been stuck on a shopping centre roof.”

Rescued - Loki had been missing since September 3 (Image: Cat Lady TNR)

Mrs O’Connor informed Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, but the cat kept disappearing, and the emergency workers were unable to get to it. 

Mrs Firrell said: “The reports were the cat has been up there for a good few weeks and obviously won’t come down and can’t come down because of the height.

Cage - A cage was set up to get the cat down safely (Image: Cat Lady TNR)

“We agreed to attend and after looking at where the cat was seen, it was agreed that we couldn’t just climb up there.

“The shopping centre security also couldn’t just climb up there either.” 

With the help of the rescue service, a cat trap was set up on the ledge of the shopping centre, with food as bait.

Saved - Loki was rescued (Image: Cat Lady TNR)

Reunited - Loki and owner Steve were reunited (Image: Cat Lady TNR)

It did not take long for the adventurous kitty to get caught in the trap and a firefighter was then able to get the cat back to the ground.  

The charity checked if the cat was chipped and found out that Loki had been missing since September 3.

Loki was then quickly reunited with relieved owner Steve Jacobs bringing a happy ending to the rescue.