Sylvester the cat saves owner's life

Sylvester the cat is being credited with saving the life of his 90-year-old owner, Patricia Kerr, after she was found stuck in a cold bath at her Rotorua home this week.

Sylvester, a ginger, part-Persian stray that Mrs Kerr adopted about five years ago, turned up at neighbours' Shirley and Monte Masons' door on Tuesday and began miaowing.

The Masons thought it strange that the "odd, antisocial" cat, which they said did not like to be touched by anyone other than Mrs Kerr, had come to their house when Mrs Kerr was home.

"The cat did come over and it did yell on the doorstep," Mrs Mason said told the New Zealand Herald. "It was hungry,"

Mrs Mason tried calling Mrs Kerr but the phone was engaged so she figured Mrs Kerr was okay.

The Masons tried again later and when the phone was still engaged they became worried.