Cat Recovering After Surgery to Remove Arrow

Valentine is recovering well from her wound, her caretakers say, though she lost her left eye and is partially deaf.

Valentine, the cat shot through the head with an arrow in Idaho, has been recovering exceptionally well, according to her caretakers, and she might soon have a job as the newest “spokescat” at Simply Cats in Boise.

Sheri Schneider, executive director of the cageless no-kill cat shelter, said the cat was having its stitches removed this week and was scheduled to be spayed next week. Schneider estimates the tabby to be 9 months to 1 year old.

The cat remains on bed rest after undergoing surgery at an emergency veterinary clinic to remove a metal arrow that pierced her left eye and went through the back of her head, missing her brain by millimeters, Schneider said.

The cat lost her left eye and is partially deaf. A 12-year-old boy admitted to shooting the stray animal by accident while trying to scare her away from quail.  Cruelty charges have been filed and he is expected to appear in juvenile court.

Although Simply Cats does not serve as a cat sanctuary, Schneider said they’re leaning toward making Valentine a permanent resident to give the public a chance to follow her story as she grows up. With all the attention that the cat has received, Schneider said it would be great to keep Valentine as a reminder to people about the importance of keeping cats indoors.

The veterinarian who treated Valentine is expected to clear her for adoption in two weeks. In the meantime, the shelter has set up a blog including a video of the cat to keep the public informed on her progress.

“Valentine has become a little camera ham,” Schneider said. “She loves all the attention she’s getting.”