This is Eddie, the adorable black cat who’s desperate for a home after waiting 230 days at an RSPCA shelter.
Staff at the charity’s branch in Yarm Lane, Great Ayton, say sweet Eddie loves people to no end.
But sadly, his sweet temperament hasn’t been able to win him a spot in a new owner’s heart.
Staff think his black coat might be putting people off, since black – along with black and white – cats tend to take much longer to rehome than their more colourful counterparts.
Eddie was taken to the shelter in September after being picked up from a shed where he’d been contained by a concerned member of the public.
Both of the poor cat’s ears were ulcerated, which caused him to suffer with sore, bald patches that meant he needed to undergo months of treatment.
Now that he’s ready to move on, Eddie would prefer to be the only pet in the home, but he can live with older children.
The centre’s cattery supervisor, Beverley Dunn, said: ‘Eddie is an amazing cat who came to us as a stray after being found with extremely bad ears.
‘He had to endure weeks and weeks of treatment and wear a protective cone to stop him scratching them, but he coped so well and just got on with it. His ears are now fully healed and he really deserves to find his forever home after the health issues he’s endured.
‘He’s a gorgeous, affectionate boy who loves human company and as much fuss and attention as you can give him, although his second favourite pastime is playing with a ping pong ball.’
Poor Eddie, who’s thought to be around two years old, has only had one application from prospective adopters in the 230 days he’s been waiting for a home.
His search has not been helped by the fact that the charity has reported an 8% downturn in the level of rehoming going on, as people begin to cut back on spending in this cost of living crisis.
Meanwhile, shelter intake has gone up by the same percentage.
Beverley said: ‘Unfortunately black, and black and white cats are not as popular as tabby and ginger cats – and it always takes us considerably longer to find them loving new homes.
‘The perfect owners are out there somewhere for Eddie and we’d encourage anyone who has been moved by his story, and is in a position to be able to offer him a wonderful new home, to apply through our website.’
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