A heartless act of cruelty left a Philadelphia cat fighting for its life after being shot with a bow and arrow, only to be saved thanks to a compassionate volunteer.
The cat, named Kimiko, was found last week with an arrow lodged in her thigh, in what authorities have described as a clear case of animal cruelty, according to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA).
Kimiko, a friendly feline, was discovered by the caretaker of a local cat colony in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood of Philadelphia on September 20. The arrow, made of metal, was visibly protruding from her side, leaving her in immense pain and on the brink of death.
X-ray images shared by the PSPCA on social media revealed the arrow had come dangerously close to striking Kimiko’s bones. PSPCA surgeons at the Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital quickly intervened, performing emergency surgery to save her.
“This attack was not only senseless but caused unimaginable suffering,” said Nicole Wilson, a representative of the PSPCA. “Kimiko was likely in agony for hours before she was finally found and brought to receive care.”
Following surgery, Kimiko is now recovering at a PSPCA shelter, where staff noted her resilience. A video posted online shows Kimiko stretching playfully in her crate, despite what she endured. Shelter workers remarked that, despite the trauma, Kimiko remains affectionate and trusting toward humans.
The PSPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement is currently investigating the incident and is urging anyone with information regarding the person responsible to contact their cruelty hotline at 866-8601 or email [email protected].
“This person severely injured this cat,” Wilson continued, adding, “And we have concerns that someone capable of such an act might pose a broader threat, including to people.”
Since the introduction of Pennsylvania’s Libre’s Law in 2017, the state has seen over 50,000 cases of animal abuse. The law, designed to impose stricter penalties on animal abusers, includes provisions making aggravated animal cruelty a felony offense.
Kimiko’s recovery remains ongoing, but her story serves as a grim reminder of the cruelty animals often face—and the need for continued vigilance in preventing such acts.
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