'Britain's most unwanted' cat who was forced to eat dry pasta to survive is now looking for a new home.
The five-year-old black moggy, named Lola, has been without an owner for 14 months after she was found neglected in a property along with two other cats and an old, blind dog.
They were found in a dump house in Middlesbrough in January last year.
While there, Lola had no food or water and had to open packets of dry pasta to try to eat. She survived by drinking water from a tap, but sweltered in the property because the fire had been left on.
A vet who examined them after they were rescued by the RSPCA said she had never seen animals so "ravenously hungry" before.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: "The cats had torn open packets of pasta and couscous to try and stay alive.
"They were also severely dehydrated, in part because of the overpowering heat in the property caused by an electric fire which had been left on in the lounge."
Thankfully, Lola has made a good recovery at the nearby RSPCA Great Ayton Animal Centre, where her favourite pastime is playing with her ping-pong ball.
But she has so far been unfortunately overlooked by potential adopters, and is now one of the shelter's longest-staying residents.
Giving an insight into her personality, cattery supervisor Beverley Dunn said: "Lola is a very sweet girl who has grown in confidence since she's been with us.
"She's very independent and likes to do her own thing, but she also enjoys a little bit of fuss from the staff she's got to know here over the past 14 months.
"Her new owners will need to be patient and give her space, but we're confident she'll thrive and enjoy even more attention once she's settled.
"After her traumatic past, she really deserves to be happy; she's still a young cat and has her whole life ahead of her and we hope that sharing her story will help us find her a wonderful new home."
Her favourite comfort items are said to be the cat treat Dreamies and her box of catnip.
The RSPCA prosecuted Lola's owner, who was given a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from keeping all animals for five years.
The other cats were also rehomed by the charity at different centres, although the elderly dog was sadly put to sleep on veterinary advice because of illness.
