NORM was just eight-weeks-old when he was sold by a breeder for £400.

He was originally advertised as a female cat of Persian breed. His new owners fell in love with him instantly, and thought they had a pedigree cat.

But when they started to develop severe allergies, they decided they were no longer in a position where they could keep Norm.

Unable to contact the breeder - who they claim "ghosted" them when they tried to get in touch - the owners turned to Yorkshire Cat Rescue, near Keighley, for help.

The cat rescue charity stepped in and found out that Norm was actually a male cat - and not only that, he wasn't a Persian breed either. And he hadn't been neutered before he was sold.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue works hard to save the lives of unwanted, neglected, abandoned and lost cats and kittens across the district. Sadly, the charity regularly sees many cases like this.

Sam Davies, head of Cat Care at Yorkshire Care Rescue, says:“With demand for cats soaring since the pandemic, a lot of rescue centres, including ours, haven’t always been able to keep up and people have turned to buying cats or young kittens as its easier and quicker.

"Sadly, a lot of the kittens aren’t old enough to be separated from their mothers when they are sold, and in this and other cases they are falsely advertised for money.

“By talking about this and sharing what has happened, we hope it will make people more aware when buying cats or kittens that are being sold online, and that they will shop instead with local rescues.”

Yorkshire Cat Rescue is currently looking after Norm and plans to place him in a foster home, where he will be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before being advertised for adoption.

The charity provides cats and kittens with food, shelter and necessary veterinary care until they find a forever home.

The cats are cared for by the charity's dedicated team of fosterers in their homes across Yorkshire, and at the centre.

* For more information about Yorkshire Cat Rescue go to yorkshirecatrescue.org