A "TERRIFIED" cat rescued from extremely poor conditions has learned to play again.
When Jameson was handed into the RSPCA Worcester branch, he would lash out when he felt cornered and people could not touch him because he was scared.
The ginger cat was described as coming from a poor home where many cats were hoarded and unsocialised which made him not know how to play properly or interact with humans.
Claire Wood, volunteer at the centre, said: "When Jameson came into our care, rescued from extremely poor conditions where cats were hoarded and unsocialised, he was absolutely terrified and would hide away in his bed.
"He wasn't aggressive but would lash out if he felt cornered and we were unable to touch him.
"In an attempt to get him to engage with us, we started tapping a stick toy along the shelf next to him.
"He would watch it, fascinated but unsure what to do."
Mrs Wood highlighted the lengthy process the team at the RSPCA Worcester branch underwent to teach Jameson how to play.
Mrs Wood added: "When he started batting at it, we could see he was intrigued.
"Next step was to show him the feathered string end of the toy.
"Initially, he was unnerved by it, but he would watch it intently and then start reaching for it.
"With this, we managed to coax him out of not only his bed but his pen.
"When his adopters came to meet him, they were able to play with his favourite toy with him, and when they took him home, his toy went too."
Playtime has now become a regular ritual every evening with Jameson and his adopters, and while he is still wary of being touched, he has learnt that humans can be fun to be around when they play with him.
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