Cat found in ruins of arson-hit Dudley Snooker and Pool Club gets new home

The fortunate feline, who has been christened Ruby by her new owners, was discovered in a 'bad way', inside Dudley Snooker and Pool Club after it was gutted by fire.

Ruby has been nursed back to health by Vets4Pets in Dudley Port in the past couple of months, with animal charity Paws paying for her treatment and helping find her a forever home.

Her new owner Jocelyn Newell spotted the moggie on a Facebook post and immediately 'fell in love with her'.

The Newell family already have three other cats - Daisy, George and Felix - and two dogs, chocolate Labrador Peggy and Collie cross Poppy.

Mrs Newell, 57, joked that she would 'have a small holding' in the future if she continues to build up the number of animals.

Ruby moved in with the family in their home off Birmingham New Road in Coseley on Monday.

"I saw her on Facebook and fell in love with her straight away," customer services assistant Mrs Newell said.

"She's settled in lovely and is really friendly.

"She's still getting used to the other cats but it's fine, that will always take time.

"As time goes on she will get used to us."

Mrs Newell said both she and her husband Alan, an independent financial advisor, were animal lovers and delighted Ruby had joined the family.

"My husband was all for it," she said.

"I think it was meant to be, Ruby just popped up online and I fell in love with her.

"The vets have really looked after her and did a great job cleaning her and feeding her up."

Vets4Pets' head vet nurse Lisa Madeley said: "We were really pleased that Paws could help with this stray cat and happy she has found a forever home."

The fire that destroyed Dudley Snooker and Pool Club on May 24 was an arson attack.

Crews were alerted to the flames at 2.05am after the fire ripped through the club gutting the inside of the building.

Temporary fencing was placed around the club as a safety precaution in case it collapsed.