A cat in the small Dutch town of Hoofddorp has survived a 30-minute ordeal in a washing machine.

Lisa and Wouter Braaf’s pet, Orion, got out and crept through their neighbours’ door. When he got in, the curious cat climbed into a washing machine. Meanwhile, the neighbour, unaware of the animal inside, loaded her washing machine and set the temperature at 40 degrees Celsius.   

Half an hour later, the lady heard something clawing at the inside of the machine. She opened the door and saw the cat – helpless and wet – scrambling out. She said he looked as if he was drunk.

The woman grabbed the animal and ran to the Braafs, who immediately recognised their beloved Orion. The cat’s owners took their pet to the vet's for treatment.

Luckily, there were no serious injuries except for the tail that was caught in the machine’s door during the washing.  

The Braafs are happy Orion’s survived and purrs again when they stroke his fur.