Family’s missing cat turned up inside the washing machine after a full 55-minute cycle — what vets discovered next left everyone in disbelief
In June 2025, an unusual incident on the Gold Coast, Queensland, left a family shaken and reminded pet owners of the hidden risks in everyday household appliances. A playful Burmese kitten named Pablo went missing for over an hour, sparking a frantic search. The situation quickly turned alarming when heartbreaking news came that the cat had been found in the washing machine. The family was stunned to realize that their pet had endured 3,000 spins during the full 55-minute cycle, leaving them fearing the worst. What happened next revealed just how precarious the life of a curious pet can be.
As reported by PEOPLE, the nine-month-old Pablo had quietly climbed into an open washing machine, likely seeking a cozy spot for a nap. Unaware of the kitten’s presence, one of the family members later started the washer. The machine ran a full 55-minute cold cycle, including roughly 3,000 spins. Pablo was discovered only after the cycle ended. “After going missing for over an hour, Pablo’s worried mum finally found him,” the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) noted in a June 10 Facebook post. The family immediately rushed him to SASH Gold Coast’s Emergency & Critical Care, where veterinarians realized the severity of his condition.
Dr. Ella Yarsley, who treated Pablo, marked his condition as critical. He had suffered brain and lung injuries from the ordeal. “[He] was probably in the most dire condition I’ve seen in a case in a long time,” Yarsley shared with the outlet. “Not many have seen cats go through a whole cycle and survive.” Despite the severity, the hospital team worked around the clock to stabilize the kitten, providing medication, monitoring, and intensive care over several days to give Pablo the best chance of recovery.
After seven days of continuous treatment, Pablo began showing signs of improvement. "He’s still visiting us for bandage changes, check-ups, and cuddles with Specialist Surgeon, Dr. Jason Mouatt, " the Facebook post read. SASH also shared that he had made a full recovery, though he retained minor injuries to his paw and the tip of his tail. Yarsley described the survival of the young kitten as “pretty close to a miracle.” By June 23, an updated post showed Pablo active and playful, with only a small cast on one of his hind legs. His recovery highlighted both the resilience of pets and the dedication of veterinary teams in emergency situations.
The incident also served as a warning for pet owners. SASH emphasized the importance of checking appliances before use, as cats often find quiet, enclosed spaces such as washers and dryers appealing for naps. “Despite his cheeky curiosity, Pablo the miracle cat is here today thanks to his quick-thinking and loving human crew, who entrusted our specialist-led team to provide care when Pablo needed it most,” the hospital wrote on their post. Pablo’s story underlined the need for vigilance in homes with pets, proving that even the smallest creatures can survive incredible challenges with care and attention.