'Shankly' looking for new home
Liverpool FC are helping Shankly, the world-famous Anfield cat, to find new owners and a loving home.
The grey and white tabby, who bounded onto the pitch during last Monday's draw against Tottenham before settling inside Brad Friedel's penalty area, was taken into the care of Freshfield Animal Rescue Centre.
Shanks spent quite some time living on the streets and as a result will have to be nursed back to full health. However, staff at the Freshfield centre said there has already been plenty of interest in him and promised they will have him match-fit in three weeks' time.
Kathryn Gibbs, cattery assistant at the FARC, is currently one of the carers charged with nursing him back to full fitness and overseeing his transfer to a new home. She told Liverpoolfc.tv all about Shankly and how he came to find his way onto the hallowed turf.
"He's a lovely cat, he's super-friendly," said Kathryn. "He's not had a home to call his own in the past but he's well-fed and in good care at the rescue centre.
"He is a cheeky character as well - he was probably wondering what everyone was doing sitting in his bathroom!"
"Shankly was sat at the side of the pitch on the night of the Spurs game, minding his own business and one of the photographers there decided to start photographing him. This must have startled him and he just found his way on to the pitch.
"Dave Callender, of the rescue centre, who went to pick him up that evening, decided it would be a good idea if he was named after the great Bill Shankly and everyone here agreed it was fitting."
Shankly made his way onto the Anfield pitch after 11 minutes of play, causing referee Michael Oliver to halt proceedings. National TV cameras beamed images around the world of him racing the length of the field and within minutes he was tweeting to thousands via mock Twitter accounts.
Not many players have left Anfield to great success down the years but Kathryn is sure that the rescue centre will find the perfect home for the Kop's famous feline by making sure his potential owners are put through the standard tests before they are fit to house the legendary cat.
She said: "We vet all owners the same, everyone is asked the same questions. Shankly will not be getting any special treatment despite his fame. Do they own their own house?
"We are looking for someone who is normal and down to earth and who can care for him. It will depend on location: are they next to busy roads? We try and aim to home a cat for life."
If you are interested in giving Shankly a new home then please telephone 0151 931 1604 or visit the Freshfield Animal Rescue Centre website by clicking here>>