MEET Gino - a street cat who's keen to come in from the cold.

Gino was brought to the York RSPCA's animal home off Landing Lane by a local vet, after being found living on the street.

"He has had a real tough life out there having to fend for himself," a member of staff at the animal home said.

"This kind of life leaves cats very untrusting of humans as they are often treated very unkindly."

Since arriving at the animal home, Gino has slowly been learning that some people, at least, can be trusted.

"Gino is now safe and is slowly learning to trust people and realise we are not that bad and that having a fuss is actually very nice," the staff member said.

"He still has a long road ahead of him but we have been so impressed with this scared little boy at how far he has come already."

Gino will need patient, kind adopters who will give him the TLC he needs to help him settle into family life. 

"He will need a spare room of his own that he can stay in until he has settled and grown in confidence," the staff member said.

"Then he can start to explore the rest of the house.

"Once he has overcome his insecurities we are positive he will make a wonderful companion."

Gino will need to be the only cat in an adult only home where he will be an indoor cat.

To find out more about Gino, or to see what other animals like him are available for adoption in York, visit www.rspca-yorkhome.org.uk

The RSPCA York Animal Home is an independent animal shelter and relies upon the support and funding of local supporters to allow it to rehome hundreds of cats, dogs, small animals and wildlife each year.