A stray kitten suffered horrific injuries after getting tangled in a collar that had become too small for her.

The seven-month-old animal is being cared for by staff at Cats Protection’s national adoption centre in Chelwood Gate.

The black and white kitten was found with a badly infected open wound after trying to free herself from a tight fitting collar, which had become embedded into her body.

Nicknamed Puss Puss by staff, she was found in Savill Road, Lindfield.

Deputy manager Tania Marsh said: “Puss Puss was in a truly helpless state and the wound was so badly infected she wouldn’t have survived on the streets for much longer.

“We think she must have been trying to get the collar off because it had become tight and uncomfortable but in doing so she had got it stuck under her leg, causing a very nasty injury. She must have been living like this for some time for the injury to get so bad, which would have been incredibly painful for her.”

Puss Puss’s story highlights the dangers of collars and Cats Protection recommends microchipping as the safest way for owners to ensure their cats are identified.

Staff hope to rehome Puss Puss soon.

To find out about adopting her or any of the other cats at the adoption centre, call 01825 741 330.