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From a Maidstone cat's miracle trip, to an elephant rescue in Hythe: Kent's best animal rescue stories

00:01, 18 August 2016

updated: 16:44, 05 September 2019

Ziggy, a collie cross, vaulted over a 7ft fence after bouncing on a trampoline.

Inspired by the dare-devil dog we have come up with a list of awe-inspiring animal stories who have either been rescued or made a break for it.

In number one spot of course...

1. Ziggy Stardust

Ziggy the border collie used a trampoline to vault a fence
Ziggy the border collie used a trampoline to vault a fence

"There's a star dog bouncing in the sky" - or so the David Bowie song goes. But Ziggy the collie jumped onto a trampoline and straight over a 7ft fence.

The three-year-old hound was playing with children at the home of dad-of-two David Sharma in Raymond Avenue, Canterbury.

To make matters worse the family were dog- sitting the pooch for friends when he made his bed for freedom.

The incident happened on Sunday morning – just two days after Great Britain won its first ever medal in the Olympic trampoline competition

David’s 11-year-old daughter Olivia climbed into the garden of the neighbouring house to retrieve him.

2. Chalky flees Faversham

Elisabeth Wilkinson with Zazu
Elisabeth Wilkinson with Zazu

Chalky a much-loved African Grey flew off way back in 2009.

The Faversham pet was spotted a year later munching on berries but managed to evade his owners for a second time.

Owner Elisabeth Wilkinson bought a new pet called Zazu but continued her search for Chalky.

3. Iggy pops up a tree

The iguana is now in the care of the RSPCA
The iguana is now in the care of the RSPCA

Last month, the Jones family had an unusual return from their summer holiday when a reptile, nicknamed 'Iggy', was spotted seven metres up a fir tree.

Michelle Jones and her son Oliver couldn't believe their eyes after spying the iguana at their home in Hereford Road, Maidstone.

She said: "It just sat there for over eight hours, I have no idea whose it is. I put it on a missing pets website but I've had no responses.

Fire crews rescued the reptile with a long net suitably impressed with his 'Lust for Life.'

4. Phoebe the Piebald pony rescued by super vets

A rescue team cut Phoebe free
A rescue team cut Phoebe free

A happy ending after a scary ordeal for rider, Charlie Bell after her horse Phoebe caught her hooves in a metal gate.

The 15 hand piebald horse got two of her hooves stuck in the gate in Shadoxhurst when she was spooked by a passing dog walker.

The rescue team were able to cut Phoebe free in less than 20 minutes after the incident last October.

5. An elephant with the mother of tummy aches

Umna's belly ache needed the help of firefighters. Photo: Aspinall Foundation
Umna's belly ache needed the help of firefighters. Photo: Aspinall Foundation

In Febraury, 2011, Umna, a two-tonne African elephant, fell onto her side after becoming ill with colic.

Firefighters helped her back onto her feet by placing straps around her body and winching her into a begging position, saving her life.

6. Jurrasic Park reptiles rescued from blaze

Greg Reeves, who has kept reptiles for nearly 10 years
Greg Reeves, who has kept reptiles for nearly 10 years

From tiny toads to six-foot iguanas, Greg Reeves was horrified when his reptile enclosure or 'Jurassic Park' at home in Sittingbourne caught fire.

Cue the reptile rescue mission by Kent firefighters. Luckily all escaped unscathed after the fire last month.

7. Christopher Colom-puss

Tinker was found almost a year after going missing
Tinker was found almost a year after going missing

Ok, Tinker the cat may not have made it to America but the intrepid moggie turned up at a Cranbrook vet after going missing from his home in Maidstone 11 miles away.

Even more miraculous is she was found via her microchip one year after she went missing. Her owners had eventually come to terms with the fact they may never be reunited. A happy Christmas present for her owners.

8. Flaviu doesn't have the Lynx effect

Flaviu has been found after escaping her enclosure
Flaviu has been found after escaping her enclosure

Ok, we know this isn't strictly in Kent but Flaviu the Lynx, went missing hours after arriving from Lympne Port Reserve. He made a break for it after escaping from Dartmouth Zoo in February this year.

Fortunately the wild cat was coaxed back with bait and is back at the zoo safe and sound - with a name like Flaviu we thought he may have ran off to audition for Strictly Come Dancing or Inter Milan or maybe he just missed Hythe.

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