'Snubbed' senior cat seeks loving home in Sussex

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How long can an affectionate cat with love to share be overlooked? That is the question posed by puzzled volunteers at a Sussex animal charity as a loving senior cat marks six months in care.

Merlin, a ‘laid-back and charming’ 14-year-old cat, was taken in by a family member when his elderly owner was unable to continue caring for him.

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When he didn’t take well to living with the family’s other cat, Merlin was reluctantly relinquished to the volunteer-led team at Cats Protection Mid Sussex.

During his time in care, other cats have been successfully rehomed while Merlin has been repeatedly passed over.

Merlin. Photo: contributedMerlin. Photo: contributed
Merlin. Photo: contributed

Now the charity is appealing for a loving home for the 14-year-old, ideally with a quiet garden to explore. Given his recent experience, Merlin shouldn’t be homed with dogs or other cats.

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Team leader Liz Gross said: “As much as we like to see Merlin’s little face every morning, be greeted by his mews, it’s upsetting to know he had to spend yet another night alone in our care.

“I can see in his eyes that he misses his home comforts. Merlin enjoys the company of people, especially a warm lap where he can enjoy lots of fuss, but he has to sleep alone in his pen every night wondering if he’ll ever have a loving home again.”Merlin is one of a growing number of older cats finding it hard to find new homes, Cats Protection reports.

Across the charity’s centres this year, it has taken an average of 39 days to rehome cats aged one up to seven years. Those aged more than seven years old take significantly longer at 51 days.

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Cats Protection said Merlin is 'laid-back and charming'. Photo: contributedCats Protection said Merlin is 'laid-back and charming'. Photo: contributed
Cats Protection said Merlin is 'laid-back and charming'. Photo: contributed

Liz added: “It is never easy to home an older cat but it seems worse than ever. It’s such a shame as these older cats have so much love still to give but people seem reluctant to give them a chance at life.

“Older cats can make ideal pets and often integrate more easily into a new family.

"When they have lived most of their lives in a loving home it can be traumatic to suddenly find themselves spending nights alone in a pen.

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"When they are homed, they can be so affectionate and appreciative of regaining their home comforts.”

Merlin is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, according to the charity.

To enquire about Merlin or any of the centre’s other cats, visit: www.cats.org.uk/midsussex, email: [email protected] or call: 01444 647 012.

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