A HUNT has been launched after a family pet cat was shot in Hampshire.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a cat was shot in the back with an air pistol in Eastleigh.

The three year-old tabby, called Slim Shady, was found at her home in Kipling Road with blood on her back from the wound.

She was taken to the vet who did an X-ray which revealed a 1.71 calibre pellet – likely from a pistol rather than air rifle – lodged next to her spine and an enlarged kidney.

She has now had an operation and looks to make a full recovery.

RSPCA inspector Penny Baker said: “Slim Shady was lucky to survive. The shot missed her spine by millimetres.

“This bullet went into her back, and then grazed her kidney. Whoever shot her must have done so deliberately.

“Unfortunately, these kind of attacks on cats are not as unusual as we would hope and the RSPCA gets a great deal of calls about animals who have been shot.

"Cats, like wildlife, are particularly vulnerable simply because they are in the open on their own.”

Owner Dawn Morgan, 33, said: “We didn’t realise what had happened at first to our Slim Shady.

“She had blood coming from the wound on her back, but it didn’t occur to me that she had been shot until the X-ray results.

“The wound was on top of her back, as if she had been shot from above. There’s no question that this wasn’t deliberate.

“I know some people don’t like cats in their garden - but to actually take out a gun and shoot at them is something I find hard to understand.

“Slim is feeling very sorry for herself but is making a good recovery, we are lucky she wasn’t hurt.

“I am now really anxious about our other cat, Titbit (pictured left), a black-and-white male.

“He has been missing for a week now and while he is a wanderer I am terrified the same person may have attacked him.”

Anyone with information about this matter can leave a message for Inspector Baker by contacting the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

To assist the charity in their vital work please text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).