USUALLY, they are one of the hardiest creatures on earth, able to survive extremes of temperature and terrain – but not these two hairless moggies.

Brother and sister Billy and Lola were feeling the effects of the sub-zero temperatures in Oxfordshire over Christmas after they found themselves without a home.

Staff at the Blue Cross adoption centre in Burford where they were staying wrapped the Sphynx cats up warm in some winter woollens to stop them shivering.

Centre manager Nikki Smith said the cats would make brilliant pets despite their looks.

She said: “It’s really unusual to see animals like these at the centres.

“The quirky cats came to us because their owner was too sick to care for them any more.

“They may not be the prettiest of kittens but what they lack in looks they more than make up for with their affectionate nature.

“But because they have no fur, they often get cold, so we got them a couple of jumpers to ward off the chill.”

Sphynx cats are an unusual breed and can cost up to £1,500 to buy privately.

They were first bred in the 1960s after a hairless kitten was born to a shorthair cat in Canada.

The kitten was bought by scientist Riyadh Bawa, who developed the Sphynx cat breed.

Anyone considering re-homing the pair should be prepared to give them regular baths as they have no fur to absorb natural body oils and their eyes must be swabbed as they have no eyelashes to keep them clean.

Their ears also need cleaning regularly and sometimes require clothes to stop them shivering.

Two years ago, animal lover Jane Blain, from Eynsham, launched her own range of knitted jumpers for cold ex-battery chickens.

The Blue Cross Centre has launched an appeal for more cat jumpers on its Facebook page where knitting patterns can be found.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk Visit facebook.com/ thebluecrossuk for more information or to offer the cats a new home call 01993 822483.