Battersea staff say Sheila may look tough on the outside, but she is sweet and sociable.

Cat lovers can find their purrfect match at Battersea

For those who are "feline lonely" this Valentine's Day, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is opening its doors to help singles and romantics alike find their purrfect cat companion.

As well as free canapés and a glass of bubbly, guests at the charity's free event will enjoy the chance to get up close and personal with the charity's residents in cat cuddle booths.

Battersea staff hopes visitors will find their purrfect feline match, offering a second chance for some of the thousands of cats the charity takes in each year.

Lindsay Quinlan, head of the cattery, says: "Battersea staff and volunteers hope visitors find a treasured tabby or marvellous moggy they can share a life with. Everyone is feeling the love and excited about Valentine’s Day at Battersea’s Cattery this year.

"We’re looking for homes for our beloved black cats as well – it’s so easy for people to overlook them. But don’t let superstition get the better of you, these cats need all the devotion they can get from their new owners. There are plenty of cats looking for love and we hope this is a Valentine’s Day for them to remember."

One such feline looking for love is eight-year-old Sheila, who was found wandering the streets and has had a hard time a Battersea.

Staff say she may look tough on the outside but she is a "tame tabby with a heart of gold" and is "sociable and sweet".

With Valentine's Day coming up, Battersea is appealing for animal lovers to donate red or pink knitted blankets for its residents to snuggle into during the cold winter months.

Battersea's Feline Lonely event takes place at Battersea's Cattery in London from 5.30pm to 9pm on February 14.

Find out more about the blanket appeal here.

Images courtesy of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.