A female cat in Toa Payoh got away with just bruises after getting trapped in a dryer at a laundromat on Aug. 21.

According to a post shared on the Sayang Our Singapore's Community Cats' Facebook page on Aug. 23, the incident occurred at Block 4, Toa Payoh Lorong 7.

The cat, who is now under the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), was reportedly trapped for 10 minutes before it was let out.

Did not notice the cat was in the dryer

In the post, user Kai Xin AvDay, who is a cat feeder in the area, said that she was alerted to the incident at around 3:47pm via a text message from her neighbour.

The customers who were reportedly using the dryer did not notice the cat inside the dryer when they were putting in their laundry.

According to the user, they only noticed the cat when the dryer stopped after 10 minutes.

A video in the post showed the cat stumbling out of the dryer, visibly shaking as she made her way to a corner of the room.

Another 19-second video showed her panting and lying down on the floor in a corner of the laundromat.The matter was immediately reported to the SPCA, according to the user.

It is believed that the cat was seeking warmth inside the dryer.

The user called on laundromat customers to check the washing machines and dryers before use and close the doors to the machines after use to prevent similar incidents from happening.

"Luckily the cat survived," the user wrote.

She also noted that she is not sure whether the cat had recently been abandoned or gone missing, as the feeders had not seen the cat in the area previously.

"Cat is now safe with the SPCA, no major injuries"

In response to Mothership queries, SPCA Executive Director Aarthi Sankar said the SPCA attended to the cat on Aug. 21 and that she is now safe with the organisation.

Sankar said CCTV footage showed the cat entering the dryer on her own, with no visible movement signalling her presence as the customer loaded up the dryer and set it in motion.

A physical examination revealed no major injuries besides bruises from tumbling around in the dryer.

The cat was cooled off under gentle air-conditioning to counter the effects of overheating.

"Had the cat been trapped for longer, she may have suffered more extensive bruising and burns, heatstroke, and even asphyxiation," Sankar added.

She expressed the SPCA's appreciation to the laundromat customer who promptly sought help upon discovering the cat.

She added that "swift" responses in such situations can "make the difference between life and death".

Sankar urged members of the public to always check inside large appliances at home or in public establishments before turning them on, as cats or other small animals may use them as places of shelter.

"They may be driven by curiosity or the desire for a warm and comfortable space. Because they are unaware of the danger, our vigilance plays a critical role in potentially saving their lives."

Top photos via Sayang Our Singapore's Community Cats/Facebook