A dove rescued by the RSPCA loved being at the centre so much he kept sneaking back in through the cat flap – even after he was released into the wild.

“Dave the dove” was found injured in New Malden on October 12, and taken to RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Chobham.

Deputy manager Liz Wood said: “When Dave first arrived here he was injured, underweight and feeling very sorry for himself. We spent weeks nursing him back to health and were thrilled when we were able to release him back to the wild.

“It’s always our aim to get wild animals and birds back out into our countryside, where they belong, as quickly as possible. But Dave wasn’t so sure he fancied it!”

He kept flying back to the centre and sneaking in through the cat flap in the reception building, where resident cat Primrose lives.

Liz said: “He just loves being around people and being with the staff and volunteers here at Millbrook. He found out he could get into reception through the cat flap and moved in.

“It’s lovely that he enjoyed his stay so much that he kept coming back to us, but we were rather worried that Primrose might not appreciate her new roommate! So we set about trying to find Dave a special home with other doves for company and someone to keep a close eye on him.”