It was meant to be just another ordinary day on the Gold Coast — until a routine load of laundry turned into a heart-stopping emergency.
A young Burmese kitten named Pablo somehow found himself inside a front-loading washing machine, curled up for a quiet nap.
What happened next was every pet owner’s worst nightmare.
A Hidden Nap Spot With Dangerous Consequences
Nine-month-old Pablo had slipped into the washing machine unnoticed after the door had been left ajar.
As cats do, he found the dark, enclosed space a perfect spot for a snooze.
But his owner, unaware he was tucked inside, started a 55-minute tub-clean cycle — no clothes involved, but plenty of water, heat, and tumbling.
When the wash was finally over, the door opened and there was Pablo — alive, but in critical condition.
His shocked owner scooped him up and rushed him straight to the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) for emergency treatment.
Vets Describe the Scene as a Rare Miracle
Veterinary staff were stunned by what they saw.
Ella Yarsley from SASH told Seven News that Pablo had suffered serious trauma, including a brain injury, lung complications, and the loss of several toes.
“He was probably in the most dire condition I’ve seen in a case in a long time,” she said.
“Not many have seen cats go through a whole wash cycle and survive… it was pretty close to a miracle.”
The hospital praised the family for allowing them to share Pablo’s story, explaining that, surprisingly, incidents like this happen more often than people think.
“It’s one of the most dangerous hiding spots for cats,” they wrote online.
Pablo’s Recovery Brings Hope and a Warning
Against the odds, Pablo is now said to be almost back to full health — a happy ending after a terrifying ordeal.
The vets hope his story will remind pet owners to always double-check machines, dryers, and other small spaces before hitting the start button.
This isn’t the first time a cat has had a close call with a washing machine in Australia either.
Other Close Calls Across the Country
Back in July 2020 on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, a two-year-old Burmese cat named Oscar found himself trapped in a warm cycle after curling up for a nap.
That cycle lasted 12 minutes — with detergent.
Oscar survived but was lucky to escape with his life.
And in 2019, a six-month-old kitten named Poppy in Launceston, Tasmania, endured a 30-minute spin in a front loader before her owners realised what had happened.
Though bruised and disoriented, she too managed to avoid serious injuries after being rushed to the vet.
A Reminder for All Pet Owners
While these stories all ended with pets being saved, they highlight just how quickly a harmless nap spot can turn fatal.
Washing machines, dryers, and other dark, cozy spaces can be irresistible to cats — and deadly when overlooked.
Pablo’s story is more than a miracle — it’s a reminder for everyone to be extra cautious before starting any appliance. One extra check could save a life.