Cat found safe after nine days trapped inside empty home

Lola went missing on October 20, prompting an appeal on the Henley Gate Facebook page asking residents whether they had seen her.

Her owner, who asked not to be named, later became convinced she could hear Lola meowing from the property next door.

She was missing for nine days (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “I could hear her crying through the wall, listening to my cat potentially dying and no one was doing anything to help."

She said she felt at the time that the developer, Crest Nicholson, was dismissive of her worries.

“My daughter has been devastated. It was absolutely awful, but I’m just so grateful I’ve got her back and I’m so thankful for Apryl," she added.

Apryl Eley, who has experience rescuing cats, became involved and remained convinced Lola was inside the property despite initial doubts over her whereabouts.

She said evidence gathered during the search ultimately proved correct and Lola was safely trapped and removed from the home early on Thursday.

Ms Eley said Lola had been trapped for nine days and praised several members of Crest Nicholson’s site team for helping with the rescue, while raising concerns about the wider handling of the incident.

Crest Nicholson said its team had carried out an “extensive search” after learning Lola could be trapped in the loft of one of its unoccupied homes.

A spokesperson said: “We were thrilled to hear that Lola had been found safe and well and delighted that the story had a happy ending.

“We would particularly like to thank our site team, who went above and beyond to help find her.”

She was believed to be trapped in the wall of a neighbouring property (Image: Newsquest)

The developer said workers removed loft insulation, used an endoscope to inspect cavities and roof eaves, and worked alongside the fire brigade and volunteers.

It added: “We are very grateful to everyone who helped bring her home.”