Daisy the cat rescued from Dereham car park has new home

Thanks to the help of Rachel Baker and Anastasia Widdison, Daisy is out of the man-made brick shelter by the car park near Aldiss Court, in Dereham, and living with a new family.

Rachel Baker (right) and Anastasia Widdison (Image: Anastasia Widdison)

Mrs Baker, who lives in Watton, said she is known as the ‘cat lady’ due to her helping animals and being a volunteer foster carer for Cats Protection.

The tale of Daisy finding a forever home started after Ms Widdison had been for a haircut in Dereham and then messaged Mrs Baker about the cat's condition.

“She told me how she spoke to her hair stylist, who said the cat had been living there for a year,” Mrs Baker said.

“She returned the next day to try and get the cat into a carrier, but couldn't manage it. After speaking to a local who lives next to the car park, they claimed to have been feeding the cat since last February.”

Five days later, the pair made a plan to go to Dereham, as Mrs Baker wanted to see the cat's condition and scan for a microchip.

The feline had a sore-looking mouth and paws, was missing fur on her back and had no microchip.

The cat was living in a man-made brick shelter by the car park, near Aldiss Court, in Dereham (Image: Rachel Baker)

She knew it was female because of its 'specific colouring'.

The local they spoke to was adamant that the cat lived in the car park, and that they and local businesses feed her, before showing the brick shelter made for her.

After speaking to Breckland Cats Protection Mrs Baker was permitted to foster the cat, despite it being out of her catchment area.

Two days later Daisy was in the vets.

She needed two teeth removed and had a type of flea allergy dermatitis, which was a result of having a flea infestation over such a long period.

Daisy needed antibiotics, ointment, and steroid tablets. She was microchipped, given a course of anti-parasite treatment, and also vaccinated against common cat viruses.

Anastasia Widdison's daughter with Daisy after she was rescued from the Dereham car park (Image: Anastasia Widdison)

Breckland Cats Protection paid her vet bill, which reached over £1,000, with both women making a personal contribution.

It was Mrs Widdison who named her Daisy, and a member of her family formally adopted her on January 29.

“It has been quite a journey, from first receiving Ana's message out of the blue, to Daisy finally being healthy and going to her forever family," Mrs Baker added.

"Ana and I are now firm friends and she keeps me in touch with Daisy and sends me photos of her. Throughout this whole ordeal, Daisy has been just the most gentle, loving and grateful little cat, it has been my absolute privilege being part of her rescue."