Cat left outside in freezing cold for a week after owner dies - and someone boards up the cat flap

Ada the tabby cat was forced to live outside for at least a week in the freezing cold after its owner died and someone boarded up the cat flap.

The eight-year-old was left outside the home in Paddington, west London, waiting forlornly to be let inside by her elderly owner.

Ada’s plight was noticed by her former owner’s neighbours, who then discovered the cat flap had been blocked.

They called the local Mayhew Animal Home who rescued Ada.

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“We found poor Ada pacing up and down outside her home, unable to get in – it was heartbreaking to see,” Alisa Ford, an animal welfare officer, told Metro.

“We believe that she was in the front garden for a week before we were alerted to her being locked outside.

“She is such an affectionate cat; we can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been for her to be left alone so long.

“That’s why it so important for pet owners to make arrangements for their animal, otherwise they could end up in a similar situation to Ada.”

But at least there is a happy ending.

The tabby has now been given a second chance and rehoused with another family.

Heidi Thomas, Ada’s new owner, said: “Me, my husband and daughter visited The Mayhew twice and fell in love with Ada.

“She is now starting to hop onto laps for a stroke and a cuddle and gives us head bumps all the time.”