A horribly disfigured cat that people could not even bring themselves to look at has been given a loving home - after a little girl begged her father to save it.

The malnourished stray had been living a miserable life, scratching around for food in rubbish bins and roaming the streets of Istanbul in Turkey.

When the seven-year-old found the unloved animal, it was emaciated, had one ear missing and could barely open its right eye.

Unloved: A horribly disfigured cat that people could not even bring themselves to look at has been given a loving home - after a little girl begged her father to save it

On the mend: With the help of a vet, the family were able to nurse the rescued animal back to health

Best friends: When the seven-year-old found the unloved animal, it was emaciated, had one ear missing and could barely open its right eye. They are now inseparable

She plucked the cat from a gap rubbish bins and took it home, pleading with her father to help save its life.

With the help of a vet, the family were able to nurse the rescued animal back to health.

They named the cat Gülümser, which means 'she who always smiles', according to Bored Panda.

The malnourished stray had been living a miserable life, scratching around for food in rubbish bins and roaming the streets of Istanbul in Turkey

The child plucked the cat from a gap rubbish bins and took it home, pleading with her father to help save its life

Life savers: The family named the cat Gülümser, which means 'she who always smiles'

Experts supplied proper medicines while the pet even underwent surgery to repair some its features.

Pictures show how it now has a full covering of fur and has the use of both ears.

Incredibly, the cat made a recovery and is now inseparable from her young saviour.

Experts supplied proper medicines while the pet even underwent surgery to repair some its features

Treatment: Incredibly, the cat made a recovery and is now inseparable from her young saviour