A mum has married her pet cat in a civil ceremony to prevent her landlord from forcing her to get rid of the animal.
Deborah Hodge, 49, has said that over the years she has had to rehome three animals due to landlords not allowing pets inside their homes.
Now, Deborah is terrified that she will be forced to get rid of 5-year-old cat India.
As a result Deborah has married her furry friend to show her landlord how committed she is to her pet.
The pair tied the knot in a ceremony last week with single mum Deborah decked out in a tuxedo and India draped in gold lamé.
The ceremony was conducted by a friend who is legally ordained whilst Deborah's friends watched on from a park in south-east London and India meowed her way through the vows.
Deborah hopes that now they are married, her landlord will see just how important it is that the pair stay together.
She said: "I had nothing to lose and everything to gain so I married my cat! I recited vows under the universe that no man will ever tear myself and India apart.
"I set out my intention that I would never be separated from the animal I adore. I can't be without India. She is truly a sensation, she is so friendly and amazing.
"She is fundamentally the most important thing in my life after my children. By marrying India, I need any future landlords to know that we come as a package and we cannot be separated under any circumstances as she is as important to me as the children.
"I refuse to be parted with her. I'd rather live on the streets than be without her." Deborah confessed that whilst living in her previous home she was forced to give up her two huskies Siri and Starshine, after her landlord threatened her with eviction.
When she moved to her current home five years ago her landlord supposedly told her to get rid of her cat Jamal. If she failed to give up cat Jamal she would face eviction.
Deborah said: "It absolutely broke my heart. Your pets become part of your family and it was just absolutely devastating having to say goodbye to them."
After letting Jamal go Deborah begged her landlord to let her have another pet and her landlord eventually relented.
India then joined Deborah and her two children in 2017 and soon became part of the family, however in 2020, India was hit by a car and lost a leg.
Sadly in March, Deborah lost her job as a life coach and is fearful that if she fails to pay her rent on May 1 she will be evicted.
With the possibility the mum-of-two could be forced to find a new home soon she decided to marry her cat to show how important it is that they are kept together.
Deborah said: "I'm on my last pennies, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I married my cat! I'm terrified of losing India. I can barely leave my house with anxiety over what the future holds and I'm just desperate not to lose my cat.
"By marrying India, I need any future landlords to know that we come as a package and we cannot be separated under any circumstances as she is as important to me as the children.
"Although some might think it a stupid idea, I wanted to be able to show physically, by holding the ceremony in front of my friends even though they thought I was bonkers that I am very serious.
"I had a group of friends there for the ceremony - they all think I've gone batsh*t crazy but we all had a lovely day. My kids weren't there on the day, they just think that Mummy has lost the plot!
"I recited vows under the universe that no man will ever tear myself and India apart. I set out my intention that I would never be separated from the animal I adore.
"We lost Siri and Starshine and then Jamal and I do not want to lose another beloved pet. I vowed in sickness and in health, in death do us part, and I meant it.
"I don't believe in organised religion, however, I do have faith. India always came back, even after losing a leg. I am her universe and that is why I married her."
