A CHARITY is calling for stricter restrictions around the sale of air guns after the number of shot cats admitted to animal hospitals almost doubled in the space of a year.

A Blue Cross pet charity foster carer in Langley Park was shocked when vets examined a one-year-old homeless cat and discovered an airgun pellet lodged in the side of her face.

Dora was found with her litter of tiny kittens fending for themselves on a nearby farm and it is not known how long the pellet had been there.

The cat was brought to Blue Cross by the farm’s owner and will be cared for with her litter until the charity finds a new home for her.

Dora has since also taken two more young kittens under her wing who were found alone in a local yard.

Although Dora is not in any pain, vets will remove the pellet from her face once her kittens are weaned.

Alison Thomas, senior veterinary surgeon at Blue Cross said: “The rise in shot cats we’ve admitted this year is very worrying. Some of these have been cats in a great deal of pain and needed intensive emergency care. Air gun pellets can be very serious and the damage to internal organs and bones can mean amputation or even death“.

Blue Cross wants a review into current age restrictions on air gun ownership and the permission of where and why they are used.

The charity will closely monitor new legislation in Scotland where a licence is needed to own an air weapon.

To find out more about Dora and other cats being fostered by Blue Cross in County Durham, or about becoming a volunteer foster carer for the charity visit www.bluecross.org.uk.