Cat ‘no-one wanted’ that was ‘ditched’ three times to the RSPCA finds forever home

A cat that was heartbreakingly left with an RSPCA animal shelter three times in a row has now found happiness in his forever home in Scotland.

Oscar, who is believed to be 10-years-old, was ditched three times at the Burton shelter in Staffordshire in January after he bit his last owner.

His heartbreaking story went viral after being featured on the Staffordshire Live Facebook page and making headlines across the country.

The news of the ginger cat dubbed the ‘cat no one wanted’ by staff caught the attention of Liz Broe in Scotland.

Liz began following Oscar’s progress on the shelter’s Facebook page for weeks and later enquired about Oscar.

Staff told her that they had offers to take the cat from all over the world but even the distance to get him to Glasgow was still an issue due to covid restrictions.

“When I first saw him he looked exactly like our cat Roscoe (who passed away in 2020 after 14 years), ” said: Liz, who works for the University of Glasgow.

“I always said I would take him but the restrictions on travel due to covid made this difficult. I continued to keep watch to see if anyone had taken him because at the end of the day I just wanted Oscar to find a loving home.”

With restrictions beginning to be lifted, Liz contacted the centre again and they said he had still not found a home.

Staff asked Liz that if they could arrange the travel, would she be willing to take Oscar, to which she replied “yes”.

The RSPCA helped organise transportation to take Oscar up towards the Scottish border where Liz, 58, and her husband Ian, 63, finally got a cat months later in May.

After a few days of settling in, Oscar has been nothing but a joy to have around their Glasgow home.

The RSPCA warned that he cannot be around other pets or children due to his “feisty nature” but this is something the couple have rarely seen since his first days of getting use to his new surroundings.

Liz said: “He is just such a happy wee guy. We were surprised by just how friendly and sociable he was after reading about him.

“He is even great when we have guests over and even the neighbours all adore him. Oscar even lets the little boy next door rub his tummy, which not many cats let you do.”

In the statement by the RSPCA earlier this year, they said Oscar would probably be happy to do his own thing rather than be cuddled in the lap.

However, just months since joining the couple, Oscar often can be seen sitting in Ian’s lap, even on occasions going to find Ian to get his attention to come sit in the couple’s living room.

Ian added: “It has been such a joy having Oscar in the house. We had Roscoe for a number of years and we never actually looked to have a cat then, he just kind of found us. Cats seem to like us, which is good.”

Oscar has settled in well at home but is currently battling an ear infection with steroids but the couple hope this will soon pass.

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Cyan Hulland, from RSPCA Burton upon Trent & District Branch’s Hillfield Animal Home, said: “Sadly, we know not all animals are as lucky as Oscar – and that’s why the RSPCA and independent RSPCA branches like ourselves will be working hard this Christmas to help as many animals as possible.

“Christmas should be a time for togetherness and a time to be safe inside, loved and protected from the cold. We know Oscar and his family will be so excited for the festive season – but for thousands of innocent animals this is sadly not the case.”

Cyan added: “As the only charity out on the frontline across England and Wales rescuing animals from danger and suffering 365 days a year, we are often their only hope. We’re asking people to Join the Rescue this Christmas to help bring animals to safety.”