PREVIEW

A stray cat is purring again after being rescued and treated for skin cancer after having her ears removed.

Jasmine, affectionately known as 'Snowy' by locals, was taken in by a Nottinghamshire animal rescue centre after she was found living rough near industrial units in the village of Heage, Derbyshire.

Dave Whitehouse, a worker at the repair garage the feline frequented, used to feed Jasmine scraps.

Despite losing his job, Whitehouse continued to care for her and sought veterinary help when he noticed her bleeding from her ears and nose.

Tests revealed the poorly cat had developed skin cancer and the difficult decision was made to surgically remove her ears and part of her nose.

Pale cats like Jasmine, who is white, are particularly vulnerable to sun damage, animal experts said.

Despite undergoing the drastic surgery, Jasmine is making a good recovery after being cared for at Brinsley Animal Rescue.

Mr Whitehouse's son and his wife's cousin also feed Jasmine after they took over the garage where he used to work, the BBC reports.

The charity paid for her surgery and has been looking after her while she gets back on her paws.

Jon Beresford, who runs the charity, 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.

'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.'

Jasmine has been living around Heage for around four years and was nicknamed 'Snowy' by some locals.

People have already donated more than £1,200 towards the cat's treatment via Brinsley Animal Rescue's Facebook page.

A microchip shows Jasmine is about 15 years old but her previous owners have not been traced.

Mr 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.'