Pipsy the cat is recovering after being shot in the chest at close range in Hornby, Christchurch.

Two cats belonging to a Christchurch vet nurse have been shot with an air rifle in the past year.

Both shootings took place on Ruakaka St, in Hornby, leaving the cats with life-threatening injuries.

After the second shooting on Sunday, the SPCA put out an urgent call for information.

The second cat, Pipsy, was shot in the chest. The air rifle pellet penetrated its abdomen, which likely meant Pipsy was shot deliberately and at close range, the vet who examined the cat said.

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When the cat was found by her owner, a vet nurse, Pipsy was vomiting blood, blue in colour, disorientated, anxious and howling in pain. It was taken to the SPCA's Christchurch centre and received emergency surgery.

In its statement, the SPCA said Pipsy's stomach and small intestine had been perforated in multiple places, allowing faeces to spill out, and the cat's diaphragm also had a puncture wound making it difficult for it to breathe.

Following surgery, Pipsy's condition improved and it had "so far recovered remarkably well from her horrific ordeal, but is not yet out of the woods", the SPCA said.

SUPPLIED Pipsy, a Christchurch cat who was shot with an air rifle, recovering after surgery.

Shooting an animal and causing suffering was an offence under the Animal Welfare Act. The SPCA was investigating and urged anyone with information about those responsible to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding the shootings was asked to call SPCA on 03 349 7057 and ask to speak with Inspector Cairns.

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SUPPLIED Pipsy was shot in the chest, likely deliberately and at close range.