A WOMAN in Kempshott is raising money for her cat’s medical care - after he was reportedly kicked by a stranger.

Fluffy, a long-haired black moggy, went missing from his home on Lapwing Close on Sunday, September 27.

Owner Louise Mitchell-Chapman, 50, told the Gazette she was afraid for his welfare, because he is of a nervous nature and does not usually wander off.

“I am very aware of all three of my cats behaviours,” she said.

“Of all the cats that would go missing, he would be the last.

“I think it was only 36 hours, but it felt more like three months.”

Louise searched the area with the help of a neighbour and finally located him, hidden under a bush at the back of her block of flats.

“I was just going out looking for him, walking round the area calling him, and I could hear his meow,” she said.

“I got closer to where he was and I realised his back legs weren’t working. I carried him home - he was shaking.”

Louise originally thought Fluffy may have been attacked by a neighbourhood dog who is often off its leash, but soon ruled this out.

“We looked for any signs of injury, because there is a dog nearby often off its lead and it always goes for my cats,” she said.

“But if he had been attacked by a dog he would have had a wound or something.”

It was then that Louise considered that Fluffy may have actually been kicked.

“I thought people could not be that cruel, but when I said to the vet, she said it was possible, but they cannot say until he has had some X-rays.”

Louise rescued 11-year-old Fluffy eight years ago, after he was abused by his previous owner.

“He hadn’t even recovered from that, even after eight years,” she said.

Despite being on incapacity benefit due to health conditions which prevent her from working, Louise used the money she had to take Fluffy to the vet, and to pay for pain relief medication for him.

However, the vet told her they could not give her an exact price for the necessary X-rays, as it would depend on the types they would need to do once they begin the process.

Louise set up a GoFundMe page, and hopes to raise £600 to cover the costs.

Writing on the page, Louise expressed her regret at having to ask for money, but said she felt she had no other choice.

She has so far raised £360, with the biggest donor being someone she went to school with, who she used to babysit for.

“Her husband said to her, because I used to help with their baby, now they should help with my baby,” said Louise.

“It kind of restores your faith in humanity really, but then not fully because of what someone did to Fluffy.”

Louise has now warned other cat-owners in her area of the potential threat. She hopes the upcoming X-rays will shed more light on what exactly happened to Fluffy.

For more information or to make a donation, visit: uk.gf.me/v/c/gfm/xrays-for-my-beautiful-cat-kicked-by-a-stranger