Whilst the Derby and District Branch of Cats Protection has had great success at finding suitable homes for the many animals in their care, they find themselves with an ever growing problem of trying to find suitable homes for those cats which pose a challenge.

These 'challenge' cats are those who, at the time of rescue, are not deemed to be 'lap' cats, ie they may have feral tendancies due to their past lifestyle or ill treatment.

Cats Protection has the belief that no cat is unhomeable - all each cat needs is a special home to suit its special needs.

The Branch is now seeking suitable properties which may be the ideal environment for one (or more!) of these cats, such as farms, riding stables, smallholdings in rural areas etc.

Houses with large gardens or those which back onto golf courses, woods etc would also be these cats' idea of heaven!

In the first instance, the new owners would need to supply them with a safe, secure outhouse/shed/stable where they can be contained for about two weeks, with regular meals, a comfortable, warm bed and a litter tray.

After this two week period indoors to get used to their new surroundings, theycan then be released, returning to the outhouse/shed only for their food and shelter.

They would then repay the new owner as fit and healthy vermin controllers.

Jane Baynton, Branch Press Officer, said: "At the moment, we have a number of these cats in our care at the moment who are extremely unhappy at being locked up in pens. We are desperate to return them to the outdoor type of life which they are used to."

All the cats are neutered and inoculated and Branch volunteers would take on the job of settling them into their new home, providing bedding and a litter tray - although ultimately the new owner would be responsible for the cost of their food.

Have you got room for one (or more) of these cats? If so, please ring the Homing Officer at the Cat-Line on Derby 206956, leaving your name, telephone number and a short message quoting 'challenge cats'.