Stowaway cat's 400-mile trip after climbing into van

A curious cat from the Isle of Man known for going on "adventures" has been on her biggest escapade yet - ending up 400 miles (643km) from home after climbing into a van.

Dusty, who regularly visits patients at Noble's Hospital close to her home in Strang, hopped into the back of the vehicle, owned by a visitor, which then travelled over sea and land to Tavistock in Devon.

Owner Liz Skillicorn was contacted via the Facebook page she runs called Dusty's Adventures, which follows the feline's jaunts, to confirm the missing three-year-old had been found.

Ms Skillicorn said she could scarcely believe the distance covered by her pet, which was now set to be "grounded for life" after the family go to collect her next week.

But she added: "She's healthy, happy and most importantly safe and we can't wait to give her a big squeeze."

The unwitting van driver had been taking down tents put up for the TT races festival at a pop-up campsite when Dusty had hitched a ride and left the island by boat last Friday.

Ms Skillicorn said he told her he had given the stowaway "lots of cuddles" before having to leave the the grey and white cat with a vet before she was transferred to a cattery, as he had to head to Glastonbury for his next job.

The cat's owner continued: "We were like oh my god what has she done now?"

"We get so many pictures sent through to the page of her sitting in an ambulance or sitting on someone's knee who is in a wheelchair, but this was something else.

"We were so relieved she was okay, then we realised we would have to go and get her."

Set up by a fan of Dusty, an online fundraiser to pay for the travel costs needed has since received more than £1,000 in donations.

Ms Skillicorn said: "We thought we were just going to have to work out a way to pay for the trip but it was amazing to see how much has been raised.

"We couldn't believe how people have come together to help us. She's definitely lived up to the name of her page of Dusty's adventures."

After the pet is collected, any money raised over the target of £750 will be donated to a Manx animal charity, the family said.

And fans of the feline's frolics can rest assured that Dusty's odyssey is unlikely to be her last.

Ms Skillicorn added: "Dusty's a nightmare, she hates staying at home."

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