A cat that could be Scotland's least wanted feline friend has spent more than 200 days waiting to be adopted -- because, it is suspected, he is too old for most people.
Stripes the domestic short hair tabby has been holed up at the Scottish SPCA's rehoming centre in Lanarkshire for almost seven months with "little interest" from potential adoptees, according to the animal charity. Workers at the Hamilton centre believe this might be because the adorable puss is somewhere between 10 and 13 years old - putting him squarely in the more autumnal years of his life.
In a Facebook appeal posted on Sunday in a bid to find Stripes his ideal retirement home, the charity said the cat was a "lovely, handsome boy" best suited to an adult-only home with no other animals, and ideally with outdoor or garden access.
The post read: "Can you give Stripes a loving home? Our Lanarkshire centre have been caring for him for over 200 days, but sadly he has had little interest.
"We think this might be due to him being an older cat, as he is estimated to be between 10 and 13 years old. He is a lovely, handsome boy who likes to spend most of his days lying on top of his scratching post, watching the world go by in between his cat naps.
"Stripes loves his food and getting head scratches. He enjoys attention and will let you know when he wants a cuddle. He would be best suited to an adult only home with no other animals.
"Stripes still has so much love to give and would make the perfect feline friend. We would love nothing more than to find him the perfect retirement home."
There could yet be hope for Stripes to find somewhere to live out his final years. Within two hours of being posted the appeal had picked up over 600 reactions and 260 shares from cat lovers, many of whom wished they could adopt him were it not for the fact they had children or other pets.
One said: "I don't see his age 10-13 as an issue, senior animals are lovely and cats can reach their 20s without any man-made hazards! Sometimes the rehoming criteria is what prevents a home coming along sadly, but understand the need for vetting and what is best for the animal! Hope he finds his loving home soon."
Another wrote: "My cat is 13 and I can honestly say she’s lovely and people shouldn’t overlook an older cat. My cat is perfectly healthy and hope to have many more years with her."
Anyone interested in adopting Stripes can visit his listing on the Scottish SPCA website.
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