Still no home for abandoned cat who was found in taped-up box with tin of tuna

Charlie is patiently waiting to be chosen despite several rehoming appeals

Nearly six months on and the RSPCA is still looking for a new home for a black cat who was abandoned outside its rehoming centre in Chesterfield in a taped-up cardboard box.

Two-year-old Charlie is believed to have clawed his way out of the box after being left at the entrance of the charity’s Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Branch animal centre in March.

Staff arriving for work at the Spital Lane shelter found a half-eaten can of tuna inside, a cat-sized hole in the cardboard and clumps of black fur stuck to one side. 

A trap was set and not long after an unfamiliar black cat who had been seen near the centre and didn’t belong to neighbouring properties, was caught. He wasn’t microchipped or wearing a collar, and no-one had reported a pet of his description missing, so staff were fairly confident it was the same animal.

Charlie, as he was subsequently named, was extremely nervous at first and would glower and hiss at staff and volunteers.

But surprisingly, that all changed when he was taken to the vets to be neutered. Charlie is said to have ‘loved every second’ of his visit and has not stopped purring and craving affection since.

Although he’s recovered well, he has since tested positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) which means he will need to be kept as an indoor cat as the only pet in his new home. 

FIV is a viral infection in cats that weakens their immune system. It’s most commonly seen in unneutered male cats who’ve been fighting for territory.

Although there’s no cure, many cats are able to live long and happy lives with the virus, although to help prevent it from spreading it’s important to keep an FIV positive cat as the only pet in the home, with controlled access to the outside if they wish.

The centre thinks Charlie’s diagnosis is one of the reasons why he may have been overlooked for so long. Black cats also take the charity over three times longer to rehome compared to tabby or tortoiseshell felines.   

Steph McCawley, from the rehoming centre, said: “Although no-one can predict the future, many cats like Charlie who have FIV can live long, healthy and full lives and want nothing more than to be loved in a home of their own.   

“He was so fearful at first, which is understandable given the distressing ordeal he went through, but the transformation in his demeanour has been heartening to witness, yet time and time again he’s being overlooked for a new home.  

“He loves being fussed and groomed and will eagerly come onto your lap for a bit of attention – he’s really stolen our hearts. In the right home he’ll make a wonderful companion, we just need someone to take a chance on him.” 

You can register your interest in adopting Charlie and finding out more about what sort of home he needs by visiting the centre’s website. 

More than 300 unwanted cats, dogs, rabbits and birds – all hoping for a second chance – have already come through the Chesterfield rehoming centre’s doors so far this year, and over 200 animals have been adopted.

Many of the animals given life-changing care at the shelter have been the victims of cruelty and neglect and are cared for while RSPCA officers carry out investigations. Others – like Charlie – have been abandoned or handed over for adoption because their owners can sadly no longer care for them.