Canterbury SPCA is calling for increased licensing of firearms, after a cat was shot in the chest with an air rifle.

Three year-old "Sye" was discovered with an open puncture wound at his Hillmorton home in Christchurch on Friday.

He also had injuries to both his front legs.

CEO Barry Helem says it's not uncommon for these kinds of incidents to take place.

"In the last 12 months we have had an instance of another cat and a dog that have been shot with air rifles.

"In both those cases fortunately the animals survived."

The cat is slowly recovering after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet from his chest.