Pink Panther: Woman admits to dying her kitty pink

A cat found with pink fur and found by the RSPCA was dyed pink by her owner who wanted its fur to match her hair. Defiant Natasha Gregory said she was proud of her actions - and would even do it again.

The 22-year-old mother-of-two admitted using food colouring to turn the short-haired cat's fur a vivid shade of pink.

The fluorescent feline, named Oi! Kitty, is now so bright that she glows in the dark.

She told the Daily Mail: "It's my favourite colour, I just love it."

"I've dyed my own hair pink and I adore wearing pink clothes. Turning Oi! Kitty pink just seemed like a good idea."

Oi! Kitty's shocking appearance sparked an RSPCA investigation after she was found roaming in a back garden.

A nationwide appeal was launched to find the person responsible for dyeing her white fur, with animal welfare officers believing it was a sick prank.

But after seeing the widespread media coverage, Natasha contacted officials to claim back her pet, which had gone missing days before.

The self-described 'animal lover' who lives with her boyfriend of five years Michael Dennis, along with his daughter and their own two children, then confessed to dyeing the cat pink.

"I read the instructions on the bottle of food colouring and there was nothing to say that it was harmful to humans or animals. We eat the food the dye is used on, so I knew it wasn't toxic.

"I just poured some of the liquid over my hands and robbed them together and then over the cat. I was careful to avoid her face and eyes though.

"She didn't seem to mind and I think she looked lovely.

"I have contacted the RSPCA to get her back and the lady I spoke to said she didn't think it would be a problem. But I'm going to have to wait until they go back to work today."

Despite being branded cruel by vet Penny Gillespie, who has been caring for the cat since she was found in a back garden, Natasha Gregory said she doesn't regret doing it.

"People have made this massive cruelty thing out of just food colouring. People do it to dogs. You often see it with dogs on TV so what's the difference with a cat?

"I would never hurt an animal. It's just food colourant. I would never put proper dye on an animal but I know food colourant is alright."

Woman tries to smuggle tiger cub on plane in luggage

A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed-tiger toys recently in the luggage of a woman at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The World Wildlife Foundation reports the 31-year-old Thai national was scheduled to board a Mahan Air flight destined for Iran when she had trouble checking in her oversized bag.

Airports of Thailand staff suspected something amiss when they scanned the bag and x-ray images showed an item resembling a real cat.

Officers from the Livestock Development Department and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department were then called in to open the bag for inspection and discovered the tranquilized cub.

Investigations are underway to determine if the cub was wild caught or captive-bred, where it came from and the suspect's intended final destination.

VIDEO: Woman dumps cat in wheelie bin

This has been all over the media in the past 24 hours - as far as New Zealand and San Francisco.

This woman has obviously had a moment of madness - I don't know what could possess anyone to do this to a defenceless creature. A

According to Sky News, she has now been offered police protection after being identified by the RSPCA. In the video the woman briefly caresses the pet - but glances around nervously to make sure no one is watching.

She then opens a wheelie-bin, grabs the moggy by the scruff of her neck and throws her in, shutting the lid. The woman then hurries off.

Lola was trapped for 15 hours overnight until her owners, Darryl Mann and wife Stephanie Andrews-Mann, heard her meowing for help the following morning.

The cat was unhurt but Stephanie, 24, raged yesterday: "I find the entire thing sickening. I cannot believe someone would do this to an innocent family pet. Lola was a rescued cat and was wary of people when we first got her.

"She has a lovely disposition and wouldn't hurt a fly. This is what makes the attack on her so shocking." 

Darryl, 26, who found Lola in the bin, at first thought she had climbed in herself. He learnt the shocking truth when they watched footage from a CCTV camera they installed outside their Coventry home two years ago after their car was repeatedly hit by careless motorists.

Darren said: "I came down to feed Lola but couldn't find her anywhere. "It was really hot day and I searched outside and nearby alleyways.

How to remove a tick from a cat

Charlie may as well be feral!

Poor sod came in from the garden and brought along a creepy friend.

I was stroking him around his neck when suddenly I felt a bump. I parted his fur and found a sight I hope never to across ever again - a little beastie!

Indeed it was a tick and being the sort of person who can't stand insects I nearly fell of the bed in fright!

But I soon learned it would be removing the tick which was going to be the hardest part.

Luckily I found a handy little video on the internet!

First, I found some point tweezers. Next you have to grab hold of the tick's head as close to the skin as you can.

Then you have to pull firmly making sure not to squeeze the tick, or you could leave its head inside! Eurgh!

Don't be surprised - you have to give it a good yank, I thought it would never come out! After removing the tick, flush it down the toilet.

Unfortunately, cats will pick up fleas, mites and ticks, so be sure to check your pet's fur regularly.

Surprisingly, Charlie was well behaved throughout the whole ordeal, apart from the occasional clawing attempt and hiss! Hope this helps!