Three-legged cat rescued ‘hours from death’ in Ukraine becomes regular at Birmingham pub

When Wendy Lloyd, who works for BBC Breakfast, travelled to Ukraine on a mission to help displaced people, she didn’t expect to start doing animal rescue.

But the 41-year-old from Birmingham couldn’t help but form an attachment to a three-legged cat, whose chances of surviving were so slim, the overrun shelter he was at hadn’t even named him.

Wendy had found him high up in the mountains at the make-shift shelter, where a sole woman was taking care of 40-50 animals. As missiles flew overhead, a terrified Wendy held onto the cat, who seemed to be the only one not panicking.

In that moment, Wendy decided to call him Rocket and bring him home to Birmingham with her.

In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, pet owners fleeing the war had no choice to either set the animals free or lock them up at home with food to last as long as possible.

Rocket was one of the pets freed onto the streets. He lost his leg when a car hit him as families were fleeing the conflict.

Wendy rescued this cutie from Ukraine (Picture: Wendy Lloyd)

Since the harrowing events, Rocket has received treatment and has found a forever home with Wendy in Birmingham. He even frequents the local pub with her, where he’s loved by the other regulars.

Now, Rocket feels right at home with his new owner – and the pair are even going on holiday together.

‘He’s driving with me to Greece this week for a holiday,’ Wendy tells Metro.co.uk.

Wendy got Rocket the treatment he needed (Picture: Wendy Lloyd)

Wendy, who owns The Classic Scooter Company, is part of a network of volunteers helping Ukrainians fleeing the frontline of the war.

Though she is now back in Birmingham, she plans to travel to Ukraine again in a few months.

She adds: ‘I’m going back at Christmas to take toy donations to an orphanage. My friend is going to dress up as Santa.’

Rocket now lives in Birmingham (Picture: Wendy Lloyd)

Travelling through Kyiv, Chernihiv, Bucha, and Lviv, Wendy and her team have helped many people. They then turned their attention to the left behind animals who needed their help.

‘When people flee an area there’s no rule book,’ Wendy told Birmingham Live.

‘Some people would lock their pets in their homes, putting down as much food and water as they could and leg it – while others would set them free onto the street.

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‘It’s a horrible decision for families to have to make – if you’re a mum and you have to choose between saving your children or the family pet, you know which one you’re going to take.

‘There’s a lot of work going on as we speak with charities breaking into homes and rescuing deserted animals.’

Let’s hope more pets find a happy ending like Rocket.

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Rocket’s life has been transformed since he was injured during conflict in Kyiv.