SHE escaped from the trampling feet of elephants but today this wild-cat is facing her biggest challenge yet - finding a home.

By REBECCA LEFORT rebecca.lefort@eveningstar.co.uk>

SHE escaped from the trampling feet of elephants but today this wild-cat is facing her biggest challenge yet - finding a home.

When feline mum Nellie was found with a litter of five cute-kittens by shocked zoo-keepers in Colchester Zoo's elephant enclosure the whole family were quickly rescued by Ipswich Cats Protection.

Since then all five of the kittens have found loving homes but Nellie, a feral cat, is still looking for a place to live.

Judy Mills, co-ordinator of Ipswich Cats Protection, said: “We're trying to find an outdoor home like a stable or farm for her.

“They do come along but not often enough. Currently she's living in a foster home in an outdoor pen, but we desperately need to find her a home because we've got so many cats waiting to come in.”

Mrs Mills said it was generally harder to home adult cats, such as Nellie, than their kittens.

But she said although Nellie had originally been a wild-cat she was hopeful that once she was offered a loving home she would relish the chance of a secure lifestyle.

She added: “She survived up until she was found at the zoo so she may well survive in the wild again.

“But we'd rather make sure she's somewhere she'll be regularly fed and wormed. And if there were ever any problems the owners could call us.

“All the kittens have been gone to homes; in fact the ginger one went to one of the zoo-keepers!”

If you can help give Nellie a home call Ipswich Cats Protection on 01473 690084.

Have you taken in a feral cat? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.