ALL the arthritic ginger moggy Kozal wanted was a loving home of his own.

However the 16-year-old cat found himself being passed over time and time again by prospective owners at Cats Protection’s national adoption centre at Chelwood Gate, near Lewes.

Staff said despite his arthritis, Kozal had no other health problems and was loving and friendly.

They felt people were put off by his age and condition.

However when the Argus reported on Kozal’s plight, kind-hearted Jill Cash from Hove stepped in to help.

She said: “We saw his ‘mug shot’ in the Argus as an appeal for a home for him.

“We adopted him because he had that forlorn look on his face and we just wanted to give him a warm safe place to spend his OAP years.

“My mission is to make him ‘smile’ and look less worried but that will take time until he feels absolutely settled.

Kozal has now been in Hove for almost two weeks and settled in right away.

Jill said: “We had a ‘quiet’ room ready for him but he wasn’t happy in there and let us know.

“So we just let him explore on his own and he decided where he wanted to sleep and has free run of the house.

“He loves to sit in front of our French doors and watch the birds.

“He is a real feisty character and we are starting to recognise the different miaows he gives us.

“Monday was the first day he was on his own for four hours and he greeted me as soon as I got home.”

Jill said she had lost their last Maine Coon-cross cat almost a year ago and was not really looking for another one but when she saw Kozal she knew she wanted to help.

She said: “We have had so many waifs and strays over the years.

“Some are from cat rescue centres, some where neighbours have moved out and left the cat behind and some just appear on the doorstep and need a home.”

Cats Protection adoption centre deputy manager Karen Thompson said: “We are thrilled that Kozal has finally found the loving home he deserves.

“We are so grateful to the Argus for sharing his story and helping to find him a new home.

“Our staff and volunteers worked very hard to make Kozal’s time at the centre as comfortable and happy as possible.

“However there’s no substitute for a real home, and we hope Kozal will continue to settle in well.

“While this is great news for Kozal, sadly we have many more cats like him who are frequently overlooked in favour of younger cats and kittens.

“We’d love to hear from other people who are willing to give an older cat a loving home of their own.”