GRAPHIC IMAGES: Can you help save Oliver? Cat found in Gravesend with broken jaw and 'lip ripped off'

A Kent animal charity is battling to save the life of a stray cat found with horrific injuries in Gravesend.

Oliver was found close to death in Raphael Road with a broken jaw and his lip torn away from his face so brutally that it had turned black.

The poor moggy was taken in by Anim-Mates, an animal sanctuary based in St Mary Hoo near Rochester but staff have said they will never know what caused Oliver's life-threatening wounds.

Hon Secretary Dennis White said: "It's a complete mystery.

"A scar on his chest from a previous injury suggests he could have been in a fight but he could also have been hit by a car."

Oliver found after he was injured

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The injured kitty's jaw is so badly broken that it is not known whether vets will be able to fuse it back together.

Anim-Mates volunteer Bobbie Bajwa said: "He is in an awful state yet he managed to purr as he was rushed to a local vet.

"The vet has said reconstructing Oliver’s jaw can only be undertaken once the infection has cleared up.

"Despite the injury being at least a week old we hope the bone is still good enough to bond. Obviously if his jaw doesn’t bond Oliver won't be able to eat."

Oliver's horrific injuries

Oliver underwent a £700 operation on April 2 to wire the bones in his jaw together but Anim-Mates are urging animal lovers to donate cash to keep the puss alive.

Mrs Bajwa added: "We must give this poor cat a chance.

"He is only young, no more than two years old."

Donations can be made at: anim-mates.org.uk/donations