Swindon pink cat owner will get pet back Published duration 29 September 2010

image caption The cat's colour only faded slightly after it was washed

A woman who dyed her cat pink with food colouring will have her pet returned to her.

However, the RSPCA said Natasha Gregory, 22, from Swindon, would also be informed of the potential hazards of dyeing cats.

The cat, called oi! Kitty, was reportedly seen being thrown over the garden fence of a man on 18 September, who called RSPCA officers.

An RSPCA spokeswoman at the time criticised it as a "sick prank".

The organisation's officers washed the two-year-old cat, but its colour only faded slightly.

'No offence'

Following widespread media coverage, Miss Gregory, who has pink hair and says she "loves" the colour, contacted the RSPCA and asked them to return the animal.

She told the BBC: "I love my cat - that cat is fed better than most people. I wanted people to know she wasn't harmed at all.

image caption Natasha Gregory contacted the RSPCA and asked them to return the cat

"I wont be doing it again - I was so shocked to see my cat on the news. I thought I'd never see her again."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the organisation would visit Miss Gregory to give her advice on animal care.

She added: "Following the visit, as no offence has been committed and as a vet has confirmed the cat is in good health, she will be returned to her owner."