Cat’s life: Amazing Grace once was lost but now is found

That was until she was brought into staff at White Cross Vets in Guiseley - who quickly found her a new home.

Head veterinary nurse Hayley Thompson said: “When Grace was brought into us, she was extremely bedraggled with a very matted coat. We had to remove the majority of her fur, bath her and gave her a full health-check as well as a good meal.

“We then set about trying to find her owner, but unfortunately it turned out they had died about four years ago. Grace had previously lived close to where she was found, but what she has been doing for the last few years remains a mystery.”

The surgery posted a picture of the shaved cat on their Facebook page - and Tracey Anderson, 50, fell in love with her at first sight.

Miss Anderson, who owns The Doghouse, a dog-friendly cafe in Yeadon, said she knew she had to adopt Grace straight away.

She said: “Grace looked like she was feeling very sorry for herself - she was so bedraggled on the picture. I just rang the vets immediately. I already have five other cats, and she gets on so well with them all.”

Grace’s 15-year-old son, Kane, chose their new pet’s name, after she began mewling on their way home from the vets when the song ‘Amazing Grace’ came on the radio having spent the rest of the journey in silence.

Miss Anderson said she believes Grace is about 20 years old because she has no teeth, sleeps all the time and has a “funny walk” - but that she is very affectionate.

She said: “At least Grace will now have a home for the rest of her life.

“I hope it will encourage others to think about adopting an older cat.”