A cat named after the Disney character Jack Sparrow had "the most awful wounds" an RSPCA team had ever seen.

The black and white moggy was found abandoned on the Isle of Sheppey with a burst abscess on his neck.

But four months on Jack, who was given his name from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, is finally on the mend and almost ready for his forever home.

The cat's resucuers are now appealing for funds to help cover his surgery bills.

Jack came into the care of the RSPCA Canterbury and District Animal Centre in June.

The two-year-old moggy was given his swashbuckling name by the staff at the animal centre due to his pirate looking black and white striped post-surgery jumper which stopped him from licking his stitches.

Tara Luxford, animal welfare manager at RSPCA Canterbury, said: “Poor Jack has had a tough time.

"He came into our animal centre with one of the most awful wounds our team have ever seen in all our years of working here.

"But despite needing lots of medical attention, Jack has been tolerant, patient and such a delight.”

Jack underwent a tricky operation at Vets4Pets Canterbury when the team had to stitch him up from his shoulder and up to the side of his cheek.

But the plucky feline is recovering well and has undergone quite the transformation since the surgery.

Tara added: “Jack has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus which is quite common in male cats who are left unneutered and roaming.

"This means he has an immune deficiency so his wound had been healing very slowly and the only option was surgery.

“Following his op and a lot of stitches he is now recovering well with his foster family and loving some home comforts."

Tara added: “We’re so thrilled that he is on the road to recovery after everything he has been through.

"However, his operation was very expensive on top of our normal day to day vet bills, which means we are now appealing to kind animal lovers to please support us.”

If you would like to donate to help the centre click here or visit their Facebook page here.

The cost of Jack’s vet bill is £1,500.

Jack isn't quite ready for rehoming just yet but once he is, the RSPCA team have said the only ship their Jack will be looking for is a "lovely friendship".