A Cornwall cat sanctuary is appealing potential owners to consider adopting elderly cats.

According to Cats Protection, cats aged 11-plus take three times longer to rehome than kittens - and yet, thanks to improved welfare and vet treatment, cats are living longer than ever, with some pets living into their late teens and 20s. The charity launched Cats Protection Mature Moggies Day (June 16) to dispel some of the myths around older cats.

Its Cornwall Cat Centre in Carnon Downs recently rehomed Sophie, a black-and-white cat who is 15 – the equivalent of 76 in human years. Sophie was discovered scavenging for food in a Redruth garden. Concerned by her emaciated and unkempt state, a member of the public took her to Cats Protection Cornwall Cat Centre in Carnon Downs.

There, she was found to be dehydrated and very dirty with missing fur, open sores on her body, a smelly painful mouth and a mass on her back right paw which was making walking difficult.

But after two months of TLC, dental extractions and surgery to remove the mass, Sophie was given a clean bill of health and was ready to find a home of her own.

The Carnon Downs team was concerned it may take time to find Sophie a match owing to her age. Fortunately, she was spotted by Truro cat-lover Jess Tyson, who has always enjoyed the company of older cats.

“I was bought up with older cats from rescue centres, and they’ve always been the best,” she said. “My soft spot lies very much with the older generation of cats and knowing that they aren’t the first to get picked is so sad.

“Sophie is honestly an angel and I love her to pieces. When I moved out of our family home and didn’t have a cat, I couldn’t work out quite what was missing until I adopted her. Now I cannot imagine my home without her.

“Sophie has got such a fun little personality that has come out slowly. She is just such an affectionate cat, you can’t even look at her without her starting to purr. I love her so much and I’m so glad I was her forever home - I hope she’d say the same!”

Cats Protection behaviourist Daniel Warren-Cummings said: “It’s a common misconception that older cats don’t play or interact much with owners. Actually, they are just as loving and playful as younger ones. In fact, it could even be easier to introduce a mature cat to your home than a younger cat or kitten.

“We’re hoping to show people that an older cat can make the perfect companion, especially if you are battling loneliness. When your cat enters its golden years, it will generally become less active, calmer, and perhaps will enjoy staying indoors a bit more.”

To find out more about caring for older cats, or for details of the cats needing homes at the charity’s Cornwall cat centre, visit www.cats.org.uk/cornwall.