AN urgent appeal has been launched to find an outdoor home for a very nervous cat.

Penny is too shy to meet any visitors to Cats Protection’s national adoption centre at Chelwood Gate, near Lewes, where she is being cared for.

The two-year-old tortoiseshell was handed into the charity in September after she had been bought online.

Centre deputy manager Tania Marsh says Penny’s difficulties seem to stem from her being inadequately socialised as a kitten.

She said: “Her previous owner had seen her advertised online and purchased her.

“However when she took her home it transpired Penny was exceptionally nervous and would not come indoors.

“It took her six months to coax Penny indoors but she didn’t settle because of another cat in the household.

“It’s most likely that she was not properly socialised so remains fearful of humans.

“Kittens need lots of human contact during a short window of time when they’re young and, if they don’t get this, then it can be hard for them to trust people, though it is not impossible. Sadly, whenever people come to view her, she tends to hide at the back of her pen so no one gets to see her.

“We’ve been doing lots of behavioural work with Penny and she has made some progress. “

Anyone interested in offering Penny a home should call the centre on 01825 741330.