A woman has married her beloved cat so that landlords can't force her to get rid it.
Mum-of-two Deborah Hodge, 49, says landlords not allowing pets on their properties have already forced her to rehome three animals.
She married her 5-year-old moggy India last Tuesday in a civil ceremony as her friends watched on at a south-east London park.
Deborah, an unemployed single mum from Sidcup, donned a smart tuxedo as India wore a bow tie and cape whilst draped in gold lamé for the special day.
A legally ordained friend of the animal-lover presided over the ceremony.
Deborah said: "I had nothing to lose and everything to gain so I married my cat!
"I set out my intention that I would never be separated from the animal I adore. I can't be without India. She is truly a sensation, she is so friendly and amazing.
"She is fundamentally the most important thing in my life after my children.
"I had a group of friends there for the ceremony – they all think I've gone batsh*t crazy but we all had a lovely day. My kids weren't there on the day, they just think that Mummy has lost the plot!"
Deborah claims that, at a previous property, her landlord threatened her with eviction if she kept her two huskies Siri and Starshine.
She moved into her current home five years ago and was forced to give up her cat Jamal, which she says "absolutely broke my heart".
"Your pets become part of your family and it was just absolutely devastating having to say goodbye to them," she explained.
Deborah then managed to beg her current landlord to allow another cat, with India joining her and her two kids in 2017.
However, having lost her job as a life coach on March 17 and with rent due on May 1, she fears she'll be evicted soon.
She hopes that her and India's special day will persuade future landlords not to separate the newlyweds.
Deborah said: "I'm terrified of losing India. I can barely leave my house with anxiety over what the future holds and I'm just desperate not to lose my cat.
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"By marrying India, I need any future landlords to know that we come as a package and we cannot be separated under any circumstances as she is as important to me as the children.
"I refuse to be parted with her. I'd rather live on the streets than be without her.
"Although some might think it a stupid idea, I wanted to be able to show physically, by holding the ceremony in front of my friends even though they thought I was bonkers that I am very serious."
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