REHOMING pets can be complicated and is a process that has to be well thought out to ensure both animals and owners are well matched.

However, it is virtually impossible for any animal charity to get it right every time. This is not because there is anything wrong with the animal concerned or the potential new owner and that was certainly the case when it came to rehoming gentle black cat Alan.

Poor Alan had been in Animal Welfare's shelter in Barrow since March but stayed the same sweet natured moggy despite this unfortunate circumstance.

Even though Alan had been in care for so long his carers did not rush into giving him over to just anyone, but they did think they had found the perfect owner last month.

Very sadly it did not work out, but this was no-ones fault - neither the temporary new owner who made the right decision, for the sake of Alan, to bring him back to the Rawlinson Street shelter nor was it the fault of his carers.

Alan is a very happy cat and is a laid back character who loves nothing more than to sit in his bed or on the window sill taking in the sights.

His carers would love to see him go to a permanent home with an older couple or a single person. Either way it is best he is in a quiet home because of his gentle nature.

Ripley is another cat who for no good reason has been in the shelter since early this year.

Again no-one understands why because she is a beautiful little girl with plenty of personality and character.

She loves to play with her carers and is known as a real flirt who loves attention.

This black and white fur ball is only one-year-old and would be a superb family pet with older children because she does like her own space.

She is full of energy and life and is so much fun.

Beautiful black and white Izzy has also spent far too long in care - she came into the shelter in February and it has changed her personality completely, thankfully for the better.

She came in fiesty but is now so much more relaxed and enjoys attention, being patted and made a fuss of.

Her carers say Izzy just gets better and better and she is a much loved member of the Animal Welfare family, but obviously they would love to get her into her own forever home.

Black and white Izzy needs to be in a home where her owners will brush her as being a semi-long haired cat she could end up getting tangles in her coat.

Again, Izzy would be best in a home with older owners who will let her have time to herself when she wants to.

For further details or to arrange a visit to see the cats please call Animal Welfare on 01229 836955.