A stray cat shot with an air rifle is believed to have lived for years with the pellet lodged in his face.

The grim discovery - which comes a week after a similar incident in Ashford - was made by Isle of Sheppey vets checking the condition of a stray that had been reported injured.

Charity Cats Protection is now appealing for supporters to help fund his vet treatment.

Residents in the Elmley area grew concerned about a male cat that had been scavenging and limping and was thought to need of medical attention, so they alerted volunteers at the animal welfare charity’s Swale branch.

Kim, welfare team lead at Cats Protection Swale said: “A vet suspected that he’d been clipped by a car at some point as he had teeth missing on the same side as an injured leg. Sadly, the leg injury was quite old and it had self-healed, leaving him arthritic, hence the limp.”

The cat, now named Oak and thought to be about eight, was very friendly and sought attention, so the volunteers decided to place him with a fosterer to prepare for adoption.

But while stroking him, his fosterer found a lump below his cheek.

Cats Protection volunteers were left "gaping in shock" when a vet found the lump was shrapnel from an air rifle pellet.

It comes a week after a rescue cat in Ashford was left with a shattered nose and a hole in its face after being hit with a catapulted ball bearing.

“Our mouths fell open," said Kim. "The vet discovered that the lump wasn’t cancerous, as we had feared. Poor Oak had been shot in the cheek.”

The vet believes the wound could be several years old, as the wound had healed and fur had grown over to hide any sign of injury.

They were able to remove the pellet, clean up the wound and prepare Oak to recuperate with his fosterer.

Kim said: “We were shocked and saddened by his injury, but since being treated and coming into care he has been very sweet and affectionate.

"He was just a nervous stray who wouldn't allow the feeders to get near to him. We are confident that he will become a very loved member of his new family.”

Oak has recovered well from the treatment, has been reserved by a family and plans are underway for him to be delivered to his forever home.

Kim said: “The cost for his treatment is between £300 and £400 and it’s not something we had budgeted for, so we’re scraping the barrel to be able to cover the bill.

"We would be very grateful if our loyal supporters were able to help in any way. Without their continued support we couldn’t do the necessary work for cats in Kent.”

Donations towards the vet bills for Oak and other cats under the care of Cats Protection’s Swale Branch can be made on the Cats Protection Swale Facebook page.

Cats Protection is calling for licensing of air guns in England and Wales, with more than 110,000 supporters having signed its petition.

Madison Rogers, senior advocacy and government relations officer at the charity, said: “Cats Protection regularly hears heart-breaking stories of cats which have suffered significant injuries as a result of being shot with an air gun.

"Our research shows that 90% of air gun attacks on cats reported in the press happen in England and Wales where these lethal weapons are not licensed. Prevention is always better than prosecution, and a sensible approach of air gun licensing is needed to deter the shootings of cats and other animals.”

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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