Yorkshire residents are being given the chance to find out more about the ultimate in rodent control – adopting a feral cat from Cats Protection.

The UK’s largest cat charity will be attending the Great Yorkshire Show, from July 10-12, to help visitors find out more about the environmentally-friendly pest control service offered by feral cats.

Cats Protection’s events manager, Emma Osborne, said the charity had feral cats in its care across Yorkshire in need of outdoor homes such as farms, smallholdings or stables.

Because they have never been domesticated, adult feral cats do not crave or need human affection but do require a safe, warm and dry home in an outdoor setting.

Emma said: “Although they are perfectly content to live outdoors, and do not want or need the companionship of people, feral cats do need a home where they will be provided with food, shelter, water and veterinary care should they need it.

“In return, they will work their socks off and many smallholders, farmers and stable-owners tell us they wouldn’t be without their ferals. We have many out-of-work mousers in our care which desperately need a permanent outdoor home so they can get stuck into their duties.”

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, helping around 200,000 cats a year through a national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 34 adoption centres.

The charity’s stand at the Great Yorkshire Show will be a hive of activity for cat-lovers, with a range of merchandise available to browse, free cat care guides and touchscreen facilities to view cats available for rehoming in the local area.

n For more information about adopting a feral cat from Cats Protection in your local area, please visit www.cats.org.uk