HER SMILE says it all. For Barbara Scott-Brown, being reunited with her beloved cat Sophie meant the world.

Purring softly, the long-haired moggy was handed back to her delighted owner last week after two months apart.

While the 91-year-old from The Downes Residential Care Home spent time in hospital, Sophie was cared for by Terry Jones, a volunteer short-term fosterer with the Cinnamon Trust charity, which supports the elderly and terminally ill and their pets.

"The whole time she was in hospital the most important thing to her was Sophie," said Averil Jarvis, MBE, founder and chief executive of the Cinnamon Trust.

"This is about having pets for companionship."

Mrs Scott-Brown was a long-term fosterer of animals with the charity and when she lost her cat and Sophie's owner died, it was an obvious decision to put them together.

"We had a bereaved owner and cat who needed each other very much and it worked beautifully," said Mrs Jarvis, who established The Cinnamon Trust in 1985.

The Hayle-based organisation supports pet owners with everything from walking a dog to shopping for food through thousands of volunteers who can also offer long-term care for animals whose owners have died or moved to a residential home that does not accept pets.

Luckily for Mrs Scott-Brown, Hayle-based The Downes welcomes pets with responsible owners and manager Steven McLean said: "Sophie has settled nicely into her new home at The Downes.

"After seeing how Barbara welcomed back Sophie I would like to thank the Cinnamon Trust."

Sophie is the first cat former nurse Ms Jones, of Mount Ambrose, near Redruth, has cared for, having been a fosterer for a year following the death of her partner.

Difficult

She said: "Thanks to my nursing background I realise that when people have a medical problem it is very difficult for them to carry on as before.

"The only continuity in Mrs Scott-Brown's life is Sophie. It is a link with her old life which is very important."

An appeal for volunteers is under way and Mrs Jarvis has called for pet-lovers to get in touch.

Volunteers need to have an interest in animal welfare, be committed and available at short notice.

Visit www.cinnamon.org.uk or call 01736 757900 for more.