A STARVING cat who was found scavenging from McDonald's leftovers and covered in oil is enjoying life in his forever home - with his new best friend - thanks to a Halesowen pet rescue.

Big Mac the cat was given his name as he was found scavenging from McDonald's leftovers in Wallace Road, Oldbury on Sunday April 7.

Now known as Mac he has found his happy ending with Nick and Clare Bright, who live in Beckman Road, Pedmore - and fellow rescue cat Charlie.

Mac was discovered by Pepper's Pet Rescue volunteer Holly-Marie Ruston, aged 14, who took the skeletal stray to the family-run rescue on the Lodgefield Estate.

The not-for-profit centre was started by nurses Sophie and Andrew Pepper, while they were at home as their three-year-old son Toby recovered from surgery to a cyst on his brain.

Thanks to a lot of loving care from Sophie and a team of volunteers Mac put on enough weight to be ready for rehoming and on Tuesday May 28 began his new life with retired management consultant Nick and university lecturer Clare.

The couple, who have two grown up sons, went to a car boot sale and ended up adopting two cats!

They initially liked a picture of Charlie, who came to Pepper's from Vets4pets in West Bromwich which had taken him in as a stray - but when they saw Mac they knew they had to take him too.

Nick, aged 58, said: "We went to a car boot sale at Wassell Grove and Pepper's Pet Rescue were there.

"We got chatting about what they did. We have always had cats - we lost our last cat Lisa when she was aged around 17."

Clare, aged 57, who lectures in education at Newman University in Bartley Green, said: "We were concerned no-one would take Mac - he had very sad expression - and was sitting in the pen so solemnly.

"We felt like we could help him and give him a happy home.

"They have both settled in really well.

"Nothing phases Mac at all - they like to be close and stay by you all the time."

Mum-of-two Sophie, who runs Pepper's from her home, said: "I’m so so happy that these gorgeous boys have found themselves an amazing new home!

"Mac as he is now known owned the house from the start, strutting around taking it all in his stride, Charlie exploring and sniffing every last inch of his new home.

"Both felt comfortable enough to eat and they already follow their new mum and dad around the house.

"Charlie was a bit snuffly when he came to us on April 4, so had to have some antibiotics.

"He is a very loving young cat and he and Mac get on so well, Charlie obviously looks up to Mac and follows his lead."

Sophie said the vet thought Mac is around age two, from the condition of his teeth

The centre - which has a Facebook page - has an array of pets needing homes.

All animals are vet checked and cats are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, de flead and wormed. Home checks are carried out and new owners sign an adoption agreement that states should the animal need rehoming again, they come back to Peppers.