A CROSS Roads-based charity is warning people to be wary of buying cats online.

It follows a transaction in which an eight-week-old kitten was advertised as a Persian female breed, and sold for £400.

But it turned out the moggie was in fact male, and not a Persian. Plus, he hadn't been neutered.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue uncovered the truth about the kitten, named Norm, when his new owners developed allergies and were unable to keep him – so turned to the charity.

Sam Davies, for Yorkshire Cat Rescue, said: "With demand for cats soaring since Covid, a lot of rescues haven’t always been able to keep-up and people turn to buying cats or young kittens as it’s easier and quicker.

"Sadly, a lot of the kittens aren’t old enough to be separated from mum when they are sold – and are sometimes falsely advertised for money.

"By talking about this and sharing what happened, we hope it will make people more aware when buying cats or kittens online – and that they will shop instead with local rescues."

Norm will now be placed in a foster home where he will be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before being advertised for adoption.