Maria BuckIt pains her to think of Rex being abandoned, particularly without teeth or the ability to defend himself if he “got in a jam.” She hopes families won’t give up on senior pets, and that more people will consider adopting them when they do need new homes.

Walter Chandoha was a combat photographer in the Second World War, before a chance encounter with a cat led him on a path that would shape his professional career.

In fact, many Lily's Legacy dogs have had short life expectancies due to health issues but defied the odds and lived much longer thanks to medical care and love, she said.

Fans of Matteo Salvini, Italy’s rightwing, populist deputy prime minister, have been sending him images of their cats so he can post the cute, furry faces on his Facebook page and give his relentless attacks on migrants a more cuddly setting.