Franky the cat had a lucky escape all thanks to a kind and persistent cat lover. Mary Jo Schafrath saw him outside a restaurant window and thought he was dead. He was clearly injured and laid motionless looking as though he had had some severe injury to his legs.

Then she saw him move and hear his plaintive cry. It was then that she took swift and decisive action.

She scooped him up and took him to the animal hospital. It was then that she knew that, if he survived, that would be the start of a loving and long lasting relationship.

It was touch and go and nobody thought he would pull through. Even the veterinarian had doubts - the injuries were so severe and Franky was only 4 months old. It looks as though he was hiding under a car bonnet and got caught in the fan belt when it started. He suffered two broken legs.

Apparently, such injuries are not that uncommon. Cats enjoy the warmth of a car engine and the seclusion that the under-bonnet existence brings. The advice if for car owners to bang on the car hood if they park outside for a short while.

Franky has had two operations and is due another but has come through so far. He and Mary Jo are best of friends and she paid for all expenses even though she had no connection with the cat.

Philosophically, although she already has several cats, she said “I keep saying there’s always room for one more.”