A COURAGEOUS cat is adapting to life on three legs after miraculously avoiding death and surviving severe injuries after he was thought to have been hit by a car.

Although two-year-old Shadow somehow escaped without any broken bones, his wounds were so horrific that one of his mangled back legs could not be saved.

The veterinary team at Beech House Veterinary Centre in Latchford worked to save both legs but they were left with no choice but to amputate one.

Despite his ordeal the brave moggy is now back enjoying the outdoors, much to the relief of his owners Julie and Stephen Williams, along with their son Thomas.

Julie, from Cinnamon Brow, has three other cats.

She said: “The determination he had to survive was amazing. He somehow managed to get back home with a mangled leg and scale the six foot fence into the garden to get through the cat flap.

“He purposefully went to Thomas’s room. He could have gone anywhere as we live in a bungalow but he knew Thomas would help him.

“He tried so hard to survive we just wanted to give him whatever chance we could. I’ve never known a cat like him. He’s a superstar.”

Thomas added: “I woke up and looked in the box and saw Shadow. I never noticed his injuries at first as he was curled up and hiding his leg.

“A bit later, I noticed one of his legs didn’t look too good and when I saw the really bad leg I just shouted to my parents. I was really worried.

“I’m just so glad he’s OK and back home now. I love cats and I’m really close with Shadow. He’s in my room a lot.”

Julie added: “The team at Beech House were fantastic and tried very hard to save his leg but we all agreed that we had to do what was best for Shadow and remove it in the end.

“He has even jumped up the six foot fence like nothing has happened!”