November is Senior Pet Month and RSPCA Cymru is shining a light on some of the older cats in its care Fabulous felines with a combined age of nearly 80 years are hoping to have their paws up in new retirement homes before Christmas.

The six golden oldies are currently being cared for at three RSPCA animal centres in Swansea, Newport and Colwyn Bay while they wait to be adopted. Sadly, national figures show that cats in their twilight years take nearly three times as long to rehome, as people steer towards kittens and younger animals.

RSPCA Cymru hopes that prospective owners will look beyond the cats’ ages and consider welcoming a more mature moggie into their home this November.

Dr Sam Gaines, head of the companion animals team at the RSPCA, said: “Every rescue animal is worthy of a home, but in some cases even more so for senior pets as it can be very upsetting for them to suddenly have a change in routine after so many years.

“It seems the main worries people have is the financial investment, time and care, when in fact there are huge positives to adopting an older cat; they are just as loving and playful and it can also be easier to judge their personalities, which allows you to identify if they are a fit for your home and family.

“It’s heartbreaking to see an older animal spend their twilight years in a rescue centre. Plenty of pets are young at heart and we’d encourage anyone looking to adopt a cat to consider giving an older one a second chance.”

The average lifespan of a cat is about 14-years-old but some can live for much longer, even into their 20s. Last year the RSPCA rehomed 17,868 felines - which is 53 a day or two every hour - including 759 in Wales.