Purr-fect home finally found for once-wild Bess

At the age of 18 or 19 lots of girls leave home for the first time, most taking up places in halls or shared houses close to their chosen university.

But 19-year-old Bess is a bit different - because she’s a cat.

For the first 14 years of her life Bess was a bit of a wild cat, a real townie.

A feral, she lived in Sheffield city centre and because she preferred to roam around the Barker’s Pool area she became known as Bess the Cole Brothers cat.

At the age of six months Bess gave birth to a litter of four kittens and a distressed shopper alerted the Furry Friends Cat Sanctuary in Dore.

Volunteers at the sanctuary found homes for the kittens and ensured Bess was spayed.

And for the next 14 years, Bess continued to patrol Barker’s Pool while Cole’s staff ensured she was fed and watered.

Then five years ago building work in the area meant she had to find pastures new.

Once again Bess was rescued by Furry Friends who took her in and volunteers helped ensure she lost her feral ways.

Eventually she was considered ready to move on to a new home.

But there was only one thing standing in the way of Bess becoming a the perfect house cat - she couldn’t find anyone willing to offer her a home.

So she remained at Furry Friends and seemed destined to spend the rest of her days there - until a new owner came forward.

Delighted Furry Friends proprietor Jane Ward said: “Bess has been offered a lovely home.

“She’s all packed and will be ready to go after a full health check and having had a microchip fitted.

“We’ll all miss her of course - but this is a real happy ending.”

Furry Friends depends on the help of volunteers Betty Benam, Lesley Brown, Julie Gregory, Andrea Edgar, Hilary Barlett, Gerry Lee, Rosemary and Michael Eyre, June Jackson and Diane Lyons, who are constantly on the look out for new homes for older cats.

If you can help please contact them on 07792 683431.