This young cat is two lives down after gunshot wounds left her at death's door twice in as many years.
Four-year-old Cleo needed emergency surgery being shot with an air pistol near her home in Mitcham Common - the same week as a kitten in the same area was rushed to the vet with a near-fatal gunshot injury.
Cleo's owner Elizabeth Parlett was in "total shock" when vets revealed the cause of her sudden illness.
"She doesn’t wander off very far and I don’t know who could have done such a thing," she added.
The air pistol pellet had torn through Cleo's intestines - but thankfully her operation at the Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria was a success and she is on the mend.
Cleo's first brush with death happened in June 2013 when she was found with a similar wound.
Ms Parlett added: “She is much better but desperate to be outside. I’m scared to let her out of my sight in case she gets hurt again.”
Eleven-month-old ginger cat Ninja was treated for a similar injury at the same practice.
Chief vet Mark Bossley said: "Cleo had very serious internal injuries when she was admitted to the hospital.
"It was shocking to admit two cats in the same week who had been shot - we hope we don’t see any more."
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