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A miracle cat has cheated death after surviving a 50ft (15m) plunge from the fifth floor of a block of flats. Four-year-old Ivy astonishingly escaped with just a fractured jaw despite the massive fall from a balcony at a modern apartment block in Sheffield.

Emily Redfern, 26, was enjoying dinner with a friend during a recent heatwave when she realised her beloved cat had vanished. The door to the enclosed balcony had been left open to cool the flat as temperatures soared to 30 degrees, and Ivy had managed to squeeze through a gap. She then took a terrifying five-floor tumble into the communal courtyard on June 23 this year.

After frantically searching the flat, Emily feared the worst and rushed downstairs to find Ivy curled up on the ground, miraculously still alive. Marketing executive Emily said: "I couldn't drive, I was too panicked, so a friend took us straight to an emergency vet."

The next day, Ivy was transferred to Vets for Pets Sheffield Drakehouse, where an X-ray revealed Ivy had suffered a dislocated jaw but, incredibly, no other injuries.

Practice owner and head vet, Dr Alexandra Dontu, said: "This was the first time in my career I'd treated a patient who had fallen from such a height.

"We repositioned the jaw, taped her face to keep it stable, and fitted a feeding tube to support her recovery."

Over the following weeks, Ivy returned to the practice every two to three days for check-ups and bandage changes.

Emily painstakingly fed Ivy with a syringe every two hours, even waking up throughout the night to ensure she received the necessary nutrition, all while juggling her full-time job.

Dr. Dontu commented: "Our profession can swing from seeing a new puppy to dealing with serious injuries in a matter of minutes. Ivy's case was traumatic for Emily, but she did an amazing job at home. It was a real team effort from everyone here."

Ivy is now nearly back to her old self, having almost fully recovered. To prevent any future mishaps, Emily has since installed netting on her balcony.

Vets have issued a warning to pet owners residing in high-rise buildings to take precautions during warm weather.

Dr. Dontu further added: "Cats are naturally inquisitive creatures, especially during the summer months, so even small gaps or the thin ledge of a balcony railing can be dangerous.

"If you're unsure, speak to your vet. Prevention is key, and we're always here to help." Emily expressed her gratitude: "I can't thank the team at Drakehouse enough.

"They were a constant support during Ivy's recovery; it was such a scary time, but the care we received made the whole ordeal a lot easier."