Kitty the cat was found alone in a garden at just one day old and handed into the rescue centre. Buttons, a Jack Russell, was born at the centre but was rejected by his mother.

They were originally put together at just two weeks old to keep each other company and have since formed a close bond.

Battersea veterinary nurse Sascha Taylor says the pair eat, sleep and play together, and that Buttons cries as soon as Kitty is taken to the cattery to spend time with other felines.

“Normally we’d hand-rear puppies and kittens separately but we thought we could try putting them together as they are both so young,” she says.

“Luckily it’s paid off as they adore being with each other and do everything together – it’s really very sweet.”

Staff at the shelter are now hoping someone will adopt both Kitty and Buttons together.

“Hand-rearing them is hard work – I have to feed them every two hours, even throughout the night – but it’s totally worth it,” Sacha says.

“We’re not sure if they’ll be rehomed together, though it would be great if they did.”