Photo: Facebook

Neighbours on Nelson Avenue were concerned when they spotted a cat stuck in a live trap on private property Friday afternoon, with nobody around. 

A post in a local social media group erupted with concern over the cat, but luckily local animal sanctuary Critteraid soon stepped in. 

"The lady who lives at the address has been trying to trap an injured stray cat, with a severely injured leg, for a while now," said Jess Byer, animal director, who added that Critteraid was familiar with the woman as a cat-lover who was only trying to do the right thing. 

Byer said the woman has been laying the trap during daylight hours only while she was at home to keep an eye on it, but had to leave the house for a while today, during which time a cat got caught. 

It's not the injured cat she was looking for, but a male manx cat who Byer says has definitely had a hard go on the streets. 

"He has a couple broken teeth, probably was fighting, and was very hungry," Byer said. 

Critteraid has now picked the cat up, who they have nicknamed "Desperado," and he has eaten two cans of cat food and been given fluids. 

Byer said the lady who set the trap was "just learning about trapping," and now knows the traps shouldn't be left unattended. 

Critteraid will be giving Desperado medical attention for a little while, and then will post a full description and photos in the hope that a former owner may step forward to claim him.