The RSPCA are desperately searching for a new home for an ugly black rescue cat – which bears an uncanny resemblance to a VAMPIRE BAT.
Seven-year-old Raphael was left homeless in May after its previous owner was no longer able to care for the deformed moggy which appears to have fangs.
Now staff at RSPCA Northamptonshire fear the dumped pet won’t be able to find a forever home – because the puss looks “just like a bat”.
Research suggests that black cats are more difficult to rehome, and Raphael’s current carers are concerned that its appearance might put people off.
Raphael arrived in the branch in June 2015 after its owner died and it took him 14 months to be rehomed, before suddenly being returned in May.
Adoptions manager Emma Markham said: “While we think Raphael is gorgeous, he does have some rather distinguishing features and a unique appearance.
“With his canine tooth jutting out and his deformed ear, he looks just like a bat!
“But we hope this won’t hinder him finding a home.
“He has a deformed ear from a suspected old haematoma (a swelling of clotted blood within tissue) and has had to have teeth removed so he’s a very sorry boy at the moment.
“But this won’t impact on him too much and he can still have a good quality of life so we desperately want to get him into a home as soon as possible.”
Alice Potter, the RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, said: “The black cat is a traditional image at Halloween.
“In UK folklore they are a symbol of bad luck, but despite common myths there is nothing superstitious about black cats.
“They won’t bring you good luck or bad luck, they are not prone to living with witches or associated with dark magic – black cats just need a loving home.”
It is claimed that the black moggy is “quite shy” and might take time to settle, but loves being stroked and having head rubs.
