ADVERSITY often unites the most unlikeliest of allies - none more so than Charlie and Cassie, Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary's latest Christmas casualties.

The plight of the two abandoned animals has tugged the heart strings of the staff and volunteers at the Edenfield shelter since the furry friends were found on Saturday morning.

Left overnight, Charlie, a ten-month-old Collie, was tied to the centre's gates while his companion Cassie, a five-month-old kitten, was callously dumped alongside him in a cardboard box.

What happened next was miraculous. Cassie escaped her wafer thin confines and snuggled up to Charlie, keeping each other warm throughout the freezing night until they were discovered at first light.

Bleakholt staff initially housed the pair in separate accommodation until Charlie and Cassie appeared agitated at being separated. They were reunited and have been inseparable ever since.

The sanctuary is set to relax its embargo rules, where shelter animals are not given as pets during the two weeks before Christmas Day, in the hope that a new caring owner will come forward to provide Charlie and Cassie with a permanent home - together!.

Shelter manager Mrs Norma Wilkinson said: "We have never come across anything like this before. Cassie managed to get out of the box, which featured details about the two animals, and rather than wander off stayed very close to Charlie throughout the night.

"As is the norm they were separated, but Charlie began to pine for no known reason. Cassie was also in a similar agitated state and we decided to house the pair in the same area. Once they were together they calmed down."

Mrs Wilkinson added: "There is no way Charlie and Cassie will be separated. We now want someone who can provide a caring home to them both to come forward as soon as possible."

If you can help telephone Bleakholt on 01706 822577.

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