A cat with two noses has found its forever home in Liverpool.
Nanny McPhee was previously homeless and was a resident at Cats Protection’s Warrington Adoption Centre. During a routine vet check it was found the four-year-old cat had two noses caused by a congenital abnormality.
Rebecca Hassall and her mum, Elizabeth, had already spotted Nanny McPhee on the centre’s website as they were thinking of getting a cat. They did not notice her noses, and only later learned she had a unique characteristic.
READ MORE: Brianna Ghey live court updates as murder trial continues
READ MORE: DWP gives five-day warning for people to claim £300 in extra cash
The family were concerned this would make rehoming harder so applied to bring her home to Liverpool.
Rebecca said: “We had already been looking to adopt before we found Nanny McPhee. Sadly, our own cat passed away earlier this year and it absolutely broke our hearts. But after seeing other people online share their adoption stories, I thought ‘we have a home with so much love to give a cat that’s waiting for one, it would be a shame not to open our hearts again’.”
Nanny McPhee’s unusual appearance was a first for the vet team at Cats Protection, and consequently her story attracted press attention not only across the UK but also featuring in headlines in the US, India, South Africa and Norway.
Rebecca said: “Cats Protection did warn us if we were interested in Nanny to confirm ASAP as she was about to have a lot of interest and it would all make sense in due course. We couldn’t believe how lucky we’d been in our timing, putting in our application the morning before her overnight stardom.
“Even now we can’t believe how far her story has been shared and how well known she probably is around the world. When we went to sign her up at our local vets the staff had already heard about her and were excited to meet her.“
Nanny McPhee, named after the fictional witch with a famously deformed nose, has suffered no ill effects from her double nose and is otherwise a healthy four-year-old.
Rebecca added: “So far, she has been settling in so well. We were told she could be a little shy so we were a little worried how she would adapt to such a big change but she has honestly been so friendly and outgoing from the start.
"When you come into a room, she is quick to come over for a fuss or sit next to her toys to prompt you into playing with her. And at night she often picks a bed to share for the evening. We’ve honestly just been so blessed.
“Nanny McPhee is our family cat, she lives with me and my mum and dad, James. If I wasn’t already reluctant to move out before, the thought of not getting to see her every day definitely makes the idea even harder.”
Lindsay Kerr, Warrington Adoption Centre Manager, said: “We are delighted our superstar Nanny McPhee has settled in so well in her new home; it was clear when Rebecca and Elizabeth came to collect her that she was going to quickly become a much-loved part of their family.”