A STRAY cat which had parts of its ears cut off because of over-exposure to the sun is starting the New Year in a new home.
Eight-year-old Halo was found in Dunmurry on the outskirts of south Belfast, malnourished, struggling to walk and with badly inflamed ears.
After being brought to the Cats Protection adoption centre in Belfast she was diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cancer.
Manager Bel Livingstone said: "She was very thin, limping and her ears were very inflamed and sore-looking.
"On a visit to the vet her limp turned out to be nothing serious but her ears had become cancerous due to over-exposure to the sun, and so unfortunately she had to have the tips removed to stop the cancer from spreading.
"White cats, or those with unpigmented white noses or ears are at the greatest risk of sunburn so we generally recommend they are kept indoors during hot weather."
Halo spent three months waiting for a new home.
She was among 80 unwanted or abandoned cats and kittens being cared for by Cats Protection in Belfast.
There are a further 70 animals on the charity's waiting list.
Ms Livingstone added: "She was quite fearful in the early days but after a lot of cajoling and patience from our volunteers and staff she has come out of her shell and now loves to sit on one of our laps purring.
"Fortunately she was adopted and will be going to her home early in the New Year, and we are all delighted for her.
"There are many more deserving cats like Halo in desperate need of homes so I'd urge people to get in touch if they are thinking of adopting a cat."
The Cats Protection Belfast adoption centre can be contacted on 02890 480 202 or, for more information visit www.cats.org.uk.
