PeeWee the cat dragged herself home after she was shot. Now shelter scrambling for care
A cat survived being shot and is in critical need of surgery, a New Jersey animal shelter said.
Three-year-old PeeWee was struck by a metal projectile, presumably a bullet, according to an April 9 statement from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, located in Oakland. No one knows how exactly the cat ended up hurt.
She “was able to drag herself home in crushing pain, her leg shattered by a projectile,” the shelter said.
Afterwards PeeWee owners, who said they were unable to take care of her, surrendered her to the shelter.
Doctors took X-rays and examined PeeWee, and they determined a bone in her front leg has several fractures. Additionally, pieces of the projectile remain lodged inside her, the shelter said.
“Given the severity of her injuries, the orthopedic surgeon believes amputation to be the best option, though they will try to save her leg,” the shelter said, adding that surgery is urgently required.
The animal shelter is accepting donations to fund PeeWee’s surgery and recovery.
“PeeWee is just 3 years old – her whole life ahead of her,” the shelter said. “... Together, we can demonstrate that we will not tolerate such violence.”
About 1,100 cases of animal abuse were reported to law enforcement agencies participating in the National Incident Based Reporting System in 2016, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. But the reported instances “represent only a fraction of the number of actual crimes.”
Oakland is about 30 miles northwest of New York City.
This story was originally published April 12, 2023 at 10:44 AM with the headline "PeeWee the cat dragged herself home after she was shot. Now shelter scrambling for care."