Vets at RSPCA Stapeley Grange are caring for a seriously injured cat that had been shot after finding it on Wrexham Close in Biddulph.

The cat has been nicknamed Ollie by staff at the centre, and isn't micro-chipped so his owners can't be easily traced.

Staff at the centre are now hoping to locate Ollie's owners while they continue to care for him.

Lee Stewart, manager of Stapeley Grange, explained that Ollie also had a serious collar injury: "Ollie's injury was so bad that the collar was covered in puss - we believe he had been like that for around three weeks. Our vets made him comfortable with painkillers and antibiotics and cleaned up the wound so he is much better now.

"It's really important that cats wear the right type of collar as not doing so can lead to injuries like this. Cats are natural hunters and curious explorers and enjoy pushing through tight spots, so it's imperative that any collar is designed to free the cat should they become snagged and so they don't get their leg caught in the collar as was the case with Ollie.

"His injury smelled very strongly when he was brought into the exam room, which is how bad it was. The collar had partly embedded into this poor cat's neck.

"During surgery our vets took an x-ray and discovered he had also been shot. The pellet, located in a muscle on his right front side, was removed. Ollie is doing well and enjoying all the TLC from our vets, staff and volunteers.

"Sadly, poor Ollie was also not chipped so we had no way of contacting his owner. If no owner comes forward, Ollie will be looking for his new loving forever home, so keep an eye out for when he is available."

In an update posted last week, he added: "Ollie has now had surgery to help heal his collar injury, which was very sore and would of taken much longer to heal without the operation. During the surgery our vets took an x-ray and discovered he had also been shot.

"Our vets removed the pellet from his left front side which was located in a muscle. He is doing well and is enjoying all the TLC from our vets and staff. We will continue to update you on Ollie's progress."

To find out more about the Nantwich centre, visit their Facebook page here, or to donate, visit their JustGiving page here.