Pet lovers warmed to the story of the cat who returned to his Ely home battered and bruised and with a hairline fracture in his jaw by raising £3,000 to fund his recovery.

Ely Standard: An Ely woman has launched a crowd fund after being left ‘shocked’ to find her beloved pet ‘covered in blood and pus’ – the fund has just reached over £3,000An Ely woman has launched a crowd fund after being left ‘shocked’ to find her beloved pet ‘covered in blood and pus’ – the fund has just reached over £3,000 (Image: Archant)

Annamarie Day says she was shocked when one of her beloved cats Tumba returned home earlier this month after being missing for five days “covered in blood and pus”.

She said Tumba “looked as if he had been battered”.

A social media post of the incident attracted massive support and a crowd funding page was set up to help cover the bills for a vet.

Ely Standard: An Ely woman has launched a crowd fund after being left ‘shocked’ to find her beloved pet ‘covered in blood and pus’ – the fund has just reached over £3,000An Ely woman has launched a crowd fund after being left ‘shocked’ to find her beloved pet ‘covered in blood and pus’ – the fund has just reached over £3,000 (Image: Archant)

Mrs Day said the treatment was expensive because of Tumba’s injuries – his jaw had a hairline crack running up the top and bottom of his mouth and his nose was smashed in.

“The vet say the majority of the trauma was in his nose and jaw with tests revealing the rest of Tumba’s body was in an ok condition,” she said.

By this week the fund raising to support Tumba’s recovery had reached £3,104.

Ely Standard: An Ely woman has launched a crowd fund after being left ‘shocked’ to find her beloved pet ‘covered in blood and pus’ – the fund has just reached over £3,000An Ely woman has launched a crowd fund after being left ‘shocked’ to find her beloved pet ‘covered in blood and pus’ – the fund has just reached over £3,000 (Image: Archant)

Annamarie said: “I was shocked to receive £1,000, so to have over £3,000 so quickly is absolutely amazing. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped, you’ve all been brilliant.

“When we reached £1,000 I was just sat at home and I got a text telling me. I spent two hours crying tears of joy, it was incredible.”

She has no idea who the donors are or where they’re from. One person who remains anonymous has donated £2,000 and Annamarie says “the feedback has been amazing”.

Tumba is still at the vets but experts say “he is on the mend” and they’re amazed at his progress – yesterday (January 16) was the first time he ate food by himself.

Annamarie added: “Although Tumba is still connected to the tube to help him eat, yesterday was the first time he licked the food up himself so that’s great.

“I’ve never liked the New Year’s celebrations - something always seems to go wrong. But after seeing Tumba and his amazing new progress, I’d like to start my new year from today.

“Although I don’t know when Tumba will make it home, I do know he’s in the best possible place and that he’s on the mend. It’s just a big waiting game.”

To donate, visit the Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/annamarie-day