Returned to the RSPCA by four different families in the past seven years, the “demon” Chester is perhaps Australia’s least cherished cat, but workers at the shelter are still determined to find him a home for Christmas.

The grumpy eight-year-old Moggie was described by his last owner as “anti-social” and “the real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. On his submission form, the former owner wrote that while Chester was “great with chickens” and “tolerant of dogs”, he also “attacked our old cat and neighbors”. He told the RSPCA that he has visitors who will not enter the house unless the cat is locked away.

But team members at the shelter say he is one of their favorites.

Chester first entered the RSPCA South Australia in 2013, when he was young and one year old.

“He got lost from Port Lincoln, so we don’t know what the story was at that stage,” said RSPCA media relations manager Carolyn Jones.

“He has a notch in the ear so he may have lived a little rough on the road before he came to us, but he was a character from the start. She knows what she likes and dislikes in uncertain ways, but she’s very affectionate and will come up to you and give you those head butts. “

Jones said it wasn’t difficult for her to find her first home but many were surprised “she didn’t last too long”.

Chester lived in the next house for six years but the owner was forced to give it up when he entered elderly care. She is well-loved there despite her habit of “biting her whenever she wants your attention,” according to her owner.

The third family only lasted two weeks and slowly the independent and loving nature hardened into a grumpy exterior.

“The last report card was shocking. He’s with a woman and a family who has a lot of experience with cats and he’s a bit of a nightmare for them because of the noises. “You know, it makes it difficult for them to have guests and certainly not that much fun for the old cat they live with,” said Jones.

“He thought he would be able to manage it and unfortunately he could not, but he really tried.”

Those at the shelter who try to pet him too often are greeted with meows and bites, and he has earned a reputation as a “bad boy” for bullying other cats. Despite his crankiness, Chester managed to win over the workers at the shelter.

RSPCA worker Jenny Sherring says she is a playful animal, you just need to know how to handle it.

“He will swipe but generally he only tells you when he has had enough,” he said.

“He already has four owners so I would say that his level of patience is probably the lowest at the moment. But if you can learn how to read signs and you know when she has had enough, then I hope we can find the right home for her. It’s just a matter of patience. “

Sherring is eager to show Chester’s good qualities to potential new owners.

“He’s very talkative, he looks at people, goes to them and immediately chats with them. He can be very affectionate when he wants to sit on your lap, but when he has enough he will leave you alone, “he said.

With the adoption market flooded with kittens this time of year, Chester is one of about 20 adult cats still looking for a home at the Lonsdale RSPCA shelter this Christmas. But Jones said they wanted to make sure animals weren’t bought as gifts unless everyone at home was sure they wanted a new pet.

“Christmas can be a great time to bring pets into the family or into your home because a lot of people are on vacation… But what we’re saying is pets shouldn’t be a surprise gift. They are not inanimate objects, they are living things, so when you raise an animal, the whole family has to come along and understand what the animal needs and how everyone will help look after it and keep it safe. ,” she says.

“The commercial days where they would have a puppy in a box under the Christmas tree, frankly it gives us absolute horror. That’s not how you treat sentient beings. “

While Jones says the days after the Christmas raid on surrendered animals have luckily disappeared, impulsive pet purchases can still lead to serious neglect.

“This could have a negative impact on the animal welfare. You know this is where we have animals appearing starving in the backyard, left stranded without water on scorching hot days, or even worse, dying in the backyard. “

But Jones says he only knows that there are avid, educated pet owners out there who will give Chester the love – and personal space – he needs to finally find a home.

“Don’t be swayed by those cute little kittens, come and get one of our lovely old cats. We really hope that, with his face plastered [in the news], that he will find the right house, “he said.

“This time we really hope [home] number five will remain. “