A CAT rescue worker offered to conduct a home visit to resolve the row over a woman who claimed she was refused a pet because she was deaf.

But Emma Stevens, a training officer with the East Lancashire Deaf Society, today said she had found someone else willing to give her a kitten after Blackburn Cat Rescue told her she was not suitable.

Eunice Faulkner, who runs Blackburn Cat Rescue, said that after initially expressing doubts about Emma's ability to look after a cat before Christmas she offered to carry out a home visit at her house in Accrington.

She said: "I tried to explain that, unless the person comes recommended, I carry out a home visit for everyone, and that I don't let cats out during the Christmas period.

"But Emma had already taken offence and put the phone down. I'm worried that people may get the wrong impression of me.

"People have objected when they have been refused cats in the past, but the cat comes first. I have a lot of considerations to weigh up before I make any decision about giving a cat to someone."

Emma, 27, said Cockley, an eight-week-old tom cat, is the perfect companion.

She added: "I was really angry and upset after being refused one, but now I am happy with my new cat.

"I couldn't believe people still had opinions like that and I just wanted to highlight the discriminatory attitudes people in the deaf community come up against."

Emma, however, who has had two cats in the past, firmly believes the fact that she is deaf should not have given Blackburn Cat Rescue any cause for concern. She said: "I was told straight away that I was not suitable to have a cat because I would not be able to tell when it was in pain, or needed attention, and it was exactly the same for my friend."

Eunice has run the sanctuary for 11 years and has also worked with deaf children.

She added: "I know that Emma was upset, but I just felt the record had to be put straight because of my reputation."