A Burmese cat called Pablo narrowly escaped death on the Gold Coast in Australia after surviving a complete 55-minute washing machine cycle, including 3,000 spin rotations.
On the 10th June 2025, the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) veterinary clinic shared the story of this unusual accident on Facebook, which quickly caught the attention of numerous local and international media outlets.
"A true miracle"
On the day of the incident, Pablo's owners had started a wash without realising their cat had slipped into the drum whilst the machine was still open. Drawn to this cosy spot for a nap, he had then fallen asleep out of sight. His absence worried his owners, who began searching throughout the house.
They only discovered him at the end of the cycle, unconscious in the machine's tub, after a cold 55-minute programme.
Pablo was rushed to SASH Gold Coast's intensive care and emergency unit, suffering from serious injuries.
"He had brain and lung damage. I hadn't seen a case this severe for a long time. Few people have seen a cat survive a complete washing machine cycle", explained Dr Ella Yarsley told 7 News Australia.
Intensive care
Despite the severity of the situation, Pablo received intensive care for a week, with the veterinary teams working round the clock to stabilise the little survivor.
The clinic finally announced that Pablo had made a complete recovery, with only a minor injury to one paw and damage to the tip of his tail. On social media, the clinic staff shared their admiration for Pablo and his family.
"Despite his mischievous curiosity, Pablo, the miracle cat, is still with us thanks to the quick thinking and love of his humans, who entrusted their companion to our specialist team when he needed it most".
Pablo's story highlights a domestic danger that's too often underestimated. SASH veterinary clinic now urges all pet owners to check household appliances systematically before use. "It's easy for a cat to slip quietly into a washing machine, fridge or tumble dryer" , they warned.
The clinic also gave thanks to Pablo's family for agreeing to share their story. They're hopeful this may help prevent other tragedies in the future.
