Stray cat who loves sunbathing has ears amputated after developing skin cancer

19 March 2024 , 11:12

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Jasmine is lucky to be alive after her ears and nose were ravaged by cancer from spending too much time in the sun (Image: No credit)

Vets had to cut off a cat's ears and nose to save her after she developed cancer from lazing in the sun.

Poor puss Jasmine has only eight lives left after the stray was found in a horrendous condition hanging around a building in Heage, Derbyshire. Nicknamed 'Snowy' by locals, the white cat had become a local character in the village.

But when staff at a nearby car repair shop found the feline clearly malnourished and gave her some much-needed food, they noticed her ears and nose were covered in blood. Taking her to vets, tests showed Jasmine had cancer in her nose and ears, which they believe stemmed from hanging around in the sun. White cats like Jasmine are particularly vulnerable to the sun's harmful rays, the vets said.

But after a round of surgery which saw Jasmine's ears removed, she is now recovering at an animal rescue in Nottinghamshire. Her operation was kindly paid for by volunteers at the Brinsley Animal Rescue, and she now has a fighting chance.

Rescue volunteer Jon Beresford saids Jasmine could now be rehomed (No credit)

Stray puss Jasmine was initially nicknamed 'Snowy' by locals (No credit)

Jon Beresford, who helps run the rescue, said: "She is now purring and coming to us for a fuss. She looks like she has been through the wars but she's doing well. They [cats] don't know what they look like."

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"White cats like Jasmine are prone to getting sunburn and skin cancer, which also affected her nose. Having no owner meant no-one has been putting sun cream on her. The tissue was degrading and she was bleeding from both ears and her nose. No doubt she was in a lot of discomfort and pain."

More than £1,000 has already been donated to help pay for Jasmine's treatment, which rescuers say has given her a new lease of life. The puss is thought to be around 15 years old, but her previous owners have not been traced.

Volunteer rescuer Mark Beresford said: "The cancer could come back, however, if nothing else we have extended her life and made her life more comfortable. We will potentially rehome her when she's fully recovered or she will live here. We've got another cat who is 23."

Susie Beever