A CAT from Hamilton who was targeted with an airgun has made the final of a national competition to find the most remarkable pet survivor.

Vet charity PDSA runs the annual competition to celebrate pets, their owners and the expertise of their vets and nurses.

Mitzy's story tugged on the heartstrings of the Pet Survivor judging panel.

Earlier this year the two-year-old tortoiseshell was rushed to the Vets Now Animal Hospital in Glasgow, where tests revealed she had been shot with an airgun.

The weapon had discharged a pellet which tore a devastating path through Mitzy's tiny body - piercing through her hip bone and her intestines before finally lodging in her hip bone opposite.

Vets were surprised Mitzy had even managed to make it home to her owner Jennifer Lawrie, due to the extent of her injuries.

The brave cat underwent life-saving surgery to remove the pellet and a large section of her intestines.

Mitzy spent a week in the hospital in August and would only lift her head when her owners came to visit.

Jennifer said: "Mitzy is now home and back to her usual playful self.

"I have never been so relieved to see her back like this, our entire family was heartbroken and disgusted that someone could do this to an animal."

PDSA Vet Elaine Pendlebury said: "This was a dreadful attack against a defenceless creature."

To vote for Mitzy in PDSA Pet Survivor 2014, text 'Mitzy' to 70099.