The New Start Cat Rescue, based in Newent, has shared one of their more touching success stories; a cat who had been horribly abused but was given help by the rescue centre and love from a teenage girl.

Tom the cat first arrived at the New Start Cat Rescue Centre about three years ago. Tom was brought in by 13-year-old Victoria, and her mum, Rachael. They had discovered him under a neighbour’s shed. He was very skinny and covered in blood. He was cared for and the owner of the cat was spoken to, she assured them that he would be ok. A little later however, he was returned to the centre, he had been burnt with oil and was covered in cigarette burns; he had been abused by someone known to the owner.

Tom was once again nursed back to health by the dedicated team of volunteers at the New Start Cat Rescue. Rachael and Victoria then approached the rescue, and asked if they could re-home him.

Rachel told the Gazette that Thomas was very scared of people. “He would run away, scared and wide-eyed,” she said.

“Victoria would sit for hours talking to Tom, without ever trying to touch him,” Rachael said, “This went on for about a year.”

One night, when there was horrendous weather, Tom was outside, too scared to come in. Victoria, who was 13 at the time, went and sat on the lawn, to soothe the cat by talking calmly to him. She was soaked to the skin, but she stayed outside for an hour, until Tom came up to her, and jumped into her arms.

From that day, Tom has been a much happier cat, and he now feels loved and safe. “He comes for constant cuddles, kisses and fuss,” Rachael said.

Victoria, who is now 16, told the Ross Gazette: “It was worth it in the end. I did get quite ill, from sitting out in the rain that night, but we’ve got a very strong bond.”

Rachael and Victoria had not had any dealings with the New Start Rescue before 2013, when Tom came into their lives, but now they hold them in the highest regard. Rachael said: “They’re an amazing team. They give up so much of their own personal lives. Some of them get up every hour to sit and feed the kittens. You couldn’t ask for a more committed team.”

Victoria, who Rachel describes as “our cat whisperer,” now helps out at New Start from time to time, and she did her work experience there. “She’s got an instant calmness, and a connection with animals, even the ferals,” she said.To find out more about the New Start Cat Rescue, visit their Facebook page.