Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is urging people not to buy animals online after a four week old kitten covered in his own urine was sold on a car boot sale app.

The tiny white kitten was rushed to Battersea's London centre last month by his new owner, who quickly realised he was far younger than he'd been advertised online.

The centre has launched a campaign to encourage people to adopt rescue dogs and cats after it revealed its rehoming numbers have fallen recently as it struggles to compete with online pet sales.

The young kitten was unable to clean himself properly and was badly scalded from his own excrement, as well as being severely underweight and in pain.

Battersea's veterinary team gently bathed him and cleaned him up. They named him Nimbus as he resembled a fluffy cloud after his bath.

Nimbus faced weeks of treatment to get him to a healthy weight and repair the damage done from being separated from his mother at such a young age, so Veterinary Care Assistant Kate Brooks took him on foster to ensure he got the care and attention he needed round the clock.

As he had never been shown how to eat from a bowl by his mother and littermates, Nimbus struggled to feed himself and Kate had to teach him to eat, as well as regularly bathing him to soothe his skin and eye drops for his constant eye infections.

Following more than a month care, Nimbus made a full recovery. After he was microchipped and neutered by Battersea's veterinary staff, he went to a loving new home in north London.

Shaun Opperman, Battersea’s head vet said: “Nimbus was far too young to be separated from his mother when he was sold online. Our veterinary team had to step in and play the role of his mother.

“His story goes to show the huge risks people run when they buy online – there’s absolutely no guarantee they’re buying what’s been advertised and, as in this case, many of the animals sold online have received little or no veterinary treatment. We can pick up the pieces for those fortunate enough to come through our gates.”

Rob Young, Battersea’s head of catteries added: "We're so pleased Nimbus got the happy ending he deserved, but we still have dozens of cats and kittens looking for their second chance. "

If you're interested in rehoming a rescue animal, please visit www.battersea.org.uk."