Halling: Matted cat found in alleyway with injured eye

An "incredibly friendly" cat has been found in a village alleyway covered in faeces, with matted fur and an injured eye, the RSPCA has said.

The long-haired black and white cat, now called Freya, was discovered by a member of the public in an area off the High Street in Halling, Kent.

She was taken to an RSPCA centre in West Malling for treatment.

The charity, which is appealing for information, says it is not "ruling out deliberate cruelty at this stage".

Warning - this story contains details and pictures which readers may find distressing.

The RSPCA is now looking into how the cat - which was found on 25 February - came to be abandoned in such a state. She was not microchipped.

RSPCA inspector Kirsten Omerod said: "This poor cat was clearly really struggling - she was covered in excrement, her fur was incredibly matted and her eye was ruptured, closed and oozing, which must have been incredibly painful.

"Despite her ordeal, she's an incredibly friendly cat so must have had an owner previously, which is why we think she could have been abandoned."

Once at the animal centre, Freya was shaved and had her right eye removed.

Ms Omerod said she was unsure of the cause of the eye injury.

"We aren't ruling out deliberate cruelty at this stage - but we need the public to help us by coming forward with any information they have," she said.

Freya is now on antibiotics and pain relief and will not be available for rehoming for some time whilst she recovers from her operation, the charity said.

Sarah Clarkson, from RSPCA Leybourne, added: "Freya loves people despite the trauma - she loves to give people head bumps and love.

"All the staff and volunteers have fallen in love with her. "

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