POOR Chloe the tabby is not feeling the cat's whiskers after spending five months in care -- a long time to be without a purr-fect home to call your own.

At eight years old, Chloe is not used to children or other pets and has proved difficult to re-home. But caring staff at Preston Cats Protection refuse to give up on her and are determined to find her a permanent place to live.

Volunteer cat welfare officer, Janice Vaughan, said: "Chloe is a friendly and affectionate cat with her present fosterer who she knows well, but she will be nervous with a new owner at first.

"She really needs a warm lap and a bowl of milk to come home to because being in care is becoming an increasingly difficult experience for her."

Initially, cute Chloe had a mild flee allergy and scratched her face but after arriving at Cats Protection she was soon as right as rain.

But, as potential owners came and went, Chloe spent more time in her pen with only her fosterer for company. Soon afterwards the poor cat became stressed and was hostile to anyone showing an interest in her.

Janice said: "She was originally owned by a Preston couple who had her since kittenhood. She had given her a lovely home and treated her well.

"Unfortunately they had to sign her over to us when the woman of the house became allergic to cats after an operation."

Cats Protection believe Chloe needs lots of company and reassurance and are looking for an experienced cat owner, with no pets, to come forward to either adopt Chloe on a permanent basis or foster her for as long as possible.

If you can help, contact Janice Vaughan on 744905 or if you would like to contribute to the cost of her care and veterinary treatment, send donations -- marked Cats Protection -- to Withy Grove Veterinary Surgery, 39 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston.