Elderly cat finds home after 500 days in shelter

A 14-year-old cat called Kitty has found a new home after waiting 18 months in an animal shelter.

The "sassy" domestic short-haired feline, is one of the longest-staying residents at the Guernsey Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) centre in St Andrews, after arriving in August 2024.

The GSPCA said it was "no fault of her own", that Kitty had been overlooked as people tended to look for kittens and younger cats. "When you've got cats with attitude, like Kitty has, they can be more difficult to re-home," said GSPCA manager Steve Byrne.

But on the first weekend of February - after 542 days at the shelter - the GSPCA received a call offering Kitty a new home.

Byrne said Kitty was an "independent lady who valued her personal space, enjoys quiet companionship, and shows affection on her own terms".

"She does occasionally tell you off when you go into her home, her bedroom and her balcony," he said.

Byrne said Kitty was "more than ready" to swap the cattery "for a calm, cozy space of her own".

He said the charity had a "wonderful start" to 2026, having re-homed eight cats within a few weeks.

It usually has between 20-30 cats in its care at any one time, but overall deals with thousands of animals every year, including recently rescuing six seal pups.

Byrne said Kitty would most be looking forward to adventures in the outdoors and "companionship" with her new owner.

"To know she's got a new home lined up is wonderful. Hopefully very soon she'll be living happily ever after," he said.

The GPSCA said it still had several other cats who had been with them for more than a year. Anyone interested should contact the GSPCA.

On Valentine's Day 2026, the GSPCA, which is funded through community donations, will be celebrating its 153rd year, marking it with #GSPCAPurpleWeek.

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