A cat used as an air gun target is in vital need of surgery.

Four-year-old Clover was shot once in the muscle of her spine and again in the front leg, causing a fracture.

The charity Cats Protection is trying to raise £1,200 to cover the cost after she had the pellet removed and her leg amputated.

Clover is being cared for at Warren House vets in Lordswood.

Adrian Ferne, manager at Cats Protection’s Bredhurst Adoption Centre, said: "We named her Clover as she has been so lucky in surviving being shot not once, but twice.

"She is recovering well but has a long way to go before being ready to find a new home where she can carry on living the rest of her life to the full.

"Clover’s operation and after-care will cost about £1,200 in total, so any donations, no matter how small, will go a huge way to reaching our target."

A JustGiving page has been set up to help raise money to cover the cost of the amputation.

The charity is calling on the Government to introducing licensing of air guns in England and Wales, to prevent similar incidents happening to other animals.

Madison Rogers, Cats Protection’s advocacy & government relations officer, said: “Many people are shocked to learn that air guns can be owned by anyone aged over 18 in England and Wales.

"This is in contrast with Scotland and Northern Ireland, which both have sensible, modern laws in place that require licensing of airguns.

"In 2017, 164 cats in the UK were reported in the press as being shot with an air gun and this figure is only the tip of the iceberg. It cannot just be coincidence that over 85% of these reported attacks on cats were in England and Wales.

"Sadly, Clover’s case is not a one-off and we see many instances where cats are shot by air guns, often sustaining life-changing or fatal injuries. It cannot be right that such weapons are so easily accessible, and modern legislation on air gun ownership is now well overdue in England and Wales."

Click here to sign the petition.

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