Cat-ching a ride

A mystery cat has lived to tell the "tail" after surviving an epic journey hidden underneath a car travelling from Perth to Broome.

Shinju Motor Group sales consultant David Fabry said he was stunned to discover the surprise stowaway sitting on top of the fuel tank of a LandCruiser which had been transported from a Perth wholesaler to Shinju's depot last month.

Mr Fabry said the feline fugitive was only exposed after it was spotted by a customer who happened to be inspecting the vehicle shortly after it arrived.

He believed it was most probable the male tabby had hitched a ride from Perth.

"The car had only been here for a few minutes, there really wasn't much time for a cat to wander in and it's not the kind of place cats wander around," he said.

"The truck had made a couple of stops on the way to unload and load cars as it's gone along, but the cat has obviously been quite happy or too scared to move from its little perch.

"He seemed relatively well fed, so I was thinking he wasn't one of the local stray cats."

Mr Fabry called his former colleague and local cat lover Sandra Moore to assist in removing the animal.

Mrs Moore managed to trap the cat, nicknamed Cruiser, before taking him to the vet the next day.

Broome Veterinary Hospital nurse Anja Dhalluin said Cruiser, believed to be about three years old, had an abscess on his ear, but was otherwise in good condition and very affectionate.

However, without a microchip or other form of identification, Ms Dhalluin said Cruiser's origin remained a mystery.

Mrs Moore said Cruiser would be neutered in Broome under the desexing program being developed by resident Chrissy Carter before being flown down to Perth Rescue Angels for rehoming.

"After his road trip he deserves to go back home to Perth in style, on a plane," she said.