PEOPLE often talk about cats having nine lives, but six toes is a whole different kettle of fish.

Woolie and Smudge are two very affectionate and well-behaved cats, but their strange paws may be putting off potential owners.

Both cats have ‘thumbs’ and this may be proving too much for any new owners, according to the Blue Cross animal charity centre where they currently live. Nobody has yet come forward to offer the six-toed felines a new home.

Caroline Thompson, deputy manager of the centre in Topcliffe, Thirsk, said: "They’re an absolutely lovely pair of cats, but for some reason they keep getting over-looked. They’ve been here since the beginning of March, which is quite a while.

"I don’t know if it’s because of their claws that they are being over-looked."

A well-known advert for milk on television depicts cats with thumbs taking up embroidery, throwing a ball and filing their nails.

Caroline said the cats’ extra digits didn’t seem to give them any extra dexterity.

She said: "As far as I can work out there isn’t a function for an extra toe.

"It’s a genetic condition. It’s basically they have a double dew claw at the back that gives the appearance of six toes."

If you can provide the purrfect home to the brother and sister cat, contact them on (01845) 577759 or visit the centre on Station Road, Topcliffe.