A lucky black cat has made a "miraculous" recovery after suffering 30 separate shotgun wounds.
Three-year-old Puss-Puss was found earlier this month, dragging her paws and covered in blood, after disappearing from her home in Ardleigh, Essex, for about a week.
She was rushed to a vet where X-rays revealed she had pellet injuries all over her body.
RSPCA inspectors said she will have to have her eye removed but has otherwise made a remarkable recovery.
Inspector Adam Jones said: "We were shocked to find that Puss-Puss was peppered with such an extraordinary number of pellet wounds all over her body and head.
"One was in her paw, making it hard for her to walk, and another in the middle of her eye - causing a detached retina.
"The vet said two had just missed her spinal cord and it is a miracle she survived."
Owner Doug Taw said it was difficult to imagine what sort of person could harm a cat in that way.
He added: "We heard some gunshots but didn't imagine at first it could have anything to do with Puss-Puss.
"Then we found her crouched under a car, frightened and injured. She ran off and we couldn't find her for a week.
"I was beside myself with worry. Then she eventually dragged herself back in a terrible state and we rushed her straight to the vet.
"It is heartbreaking seeing her in such a distressed state, and I am so upset that she will now lose her eye."
Anyone with information about what happened can contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
Press Association
