A WILDLIFE charity hospital is caring for a cat after it was shot with a bow and arrow.

The animal was taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital in Orsett after being found by a cat lover.

Sue Schwar, charity founder said it must have been shot at with some force.

She added: “The operation to remove the arrow took about one hour to undertake.

“If the arrow had been a little bit lower it could have damaged the cat’s spine and paralysed it. The cat would have suffered when it was hit by the arrow.

“The cat is currently recovering but it is in a lot of pain and the wound is still infected, it could be a few weeks before we know if it will pull through.”

The hospital is a charity and relies heavily on donations from the public and organisations to keep on caring for animals in need.