A CAT rescue charity is preparing to play matchmaker in the run up to Valentine’s Day in a bid to find homes for some of the animals in its care.

Jazz, Margot, Maverick and Sally are among the 150 felines at Cats Protection’s national adoption centre in Chelwood Gate, near Lewes, who are currently looking for a place to live.

Ten-year-old Sally has been at the centre since October and staff say she is a laid-back cat who would love a home where she can curl up on a cosy sofa and enjoy some home creature comforts. Maverick, seven, has been waiting for a new home since October and would now desperately like a place without other pets or young children where he can be the centre of attention.

Margot loves to interact with people and would love a home where she can get plenty of attention.

At twelve-years-old, she is still very adventurous and curious and loves to be at the heart of the action. She needs a home without young children or other cats.

Sociable Jazz, four, came to the centre in December and is also looking for a home with no other animals.

Now staff are holding a special Lonely Hearts day on February 13 to give people a chance to meet the quartet and dozens of other cats on the lookout for a new home.

They say there are cats in their care which have been at the centre for far too long and would like nothing more than to be in a loving, new forever home.

Many of the loneliest cats are the ones which seem quiet, nervous or reserved when potential owners come to the centre.

However this is not a true reflection of their personality and given a little TLC they will come out of their shells and be affectionate and friendly.

Centre deputy manager Jonathan Ramsden said: “With so much love in the air, we’re hoping Valentine’s weekend will encourage more people to open their heart to adopting a cat from Cats Protection.

“February is a really great time to adopt a cat, once the excitement of Christmas and New Year is over. Because it’s also quite chilly, a new cat would rather stay indoors, giving you the perfect time to bond and get to know each other.

“We have some really lovely cats in our care which haven’t yet found an owner, and we’re really hoping now will be the time they catch someone’s eye.

"While we work very hard to give each cat plenty of love and attention, there really is no substitute for a home of their own.

"So we’d ask anyone considering adopting a cat to come along to our Lonely Hearts day and welcome a new cat into their heart and home.”

As well as seeing the animals at the event, which runs from 10am to 4pm, visitors will have the chance to win a Valentine-themed Love Hamper.