Boots is lucky to be alive after astounded vets and Cats Protection carers find she had been shot 14 times with a shotgun.

Eight-year-old tortoiseshell Boots arrived at Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre with her tabby sister Puss, in need of a new home after their owner had died.

Boots recovering from her surgery. Credit: Bridgend Adoption Centre

A cat care assistant spotted a lump beneath one of her ears. It was only after x-rays were taken that the full extent of Boots’ injuries were revealed.

Centre Manager Sue Dobbs explains: “We thought the lump near Boots’ ear was going to be a foreign object because of its size and shape but it wasn’t until our vet removed it and I examined it that I realised it was pellet. A further scan then revealed her numerous injuries.

“It really is a miracle Boots survived the shooting. We can see from the x-rays that the pellets narrowly missed vital organs, her spinal cord and her brain.”

Boots' x-ray showing some of the pellets lodged in her body. Credit: Shepherds the Vets

The vets managed to remove nine of the pellets but five were deemed too dangerous to take out.

Veterinary Surgeon Katrina Cordell said: “They were everywhere – behind her ear, under her chin, and even in her tail. Any one of them could have been fatal. We’re confident the remaining pellets won’t cause her problems. She is a very lucky kitty at the end of the day, none the worse for wear other than a rather odd looking haircut and a few stitches.”

The nine shotgun pellets removed from Boots' body. Credit: Bridgend Adoption Centre

Boots is now recuperating from her surgery and has already been reserved by a new owner. Once her recovery is complete, she will be going to her new home.

Sue added: “We’re so pleased that Boots’ story has a happy ending. Our vet bills run into thousands of pounds every month but the beginning of this year has been really hard on us.

“Alongside Boots, we’ve had a number of other cats needing operations, including Fluff who had to have sun-damaged areas from his ears removed as well as a tumour from his toe, and Clyde who had long-term damage to his eye which had to be removed. They are all recovering well but if anyone would like to lend a helping hand towards vet costs we’d be extremely grateful.”

Clyde (left) who needed his eye removed and Fluff (right) who had his ears removed. Credit: Bridgend Adoption Centre

Bridgend Adoption Centre has set up a JustGiving appeal for anyone wishing to help towards the costs of caring for cats like Boots.

Cats Protection is calling for a change in the law on air gun ownership in England and Wales, to help prevent cruel attacks on cats. Sign our petition for air guns to be licensed.