With Kimiko the cat recovering from an arrow wound, PSPCA wants to bring attacker to justice

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A cat that someone shot with an arrow last week is having a picture-perfect recovery after receiving some emergency care, according to the Pennsylvania SPCA. And now the nonprofit wants to find the person responsible for the animal’s cruel injury.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, a caretaker of a cat colony in North Philadelphia went out to feed the animals when, officials say, she discovered one of the cats, Kimiko, had a startling injury: An arrow was sticking out from her right hind leg.

Gillian Kocher, director of public relations at the PSPCA, told KYW the caretaker called animal control, who rushed Kimiko to Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency (PASE), where she was stabilized. She was then taken to PSPCA, where two surgeons removed the arrow and mended her wounds.

At first, PSPCA staff weren’t sure if Kimiko would survive her injuries, but on Friday morning, they posted a status update online, including photos of Kimiko, who veterinarians estimate to be 1 to 2 years old.

“We're lucky that, where the arrow hit — and the cat is lucky, obviously, as well — that it missed all sort of vital parts of her body,” said Kocher on Sunday.

Now, Kimiko is recovering beautifully, receiving the care she needs, and showing off her personality.

“You know, she rolls around and is super friendly, so we are confident that she has a great future ahead of her.”

Kocher says one of the PASE vets who treated has even expressed interest in adopting her.

“Obviously this wasn't something that happened by accident, you know, a cat being hit by a car or something like that, instead, it was an intentional act of cruelty,” Kocher said.

“We believe that the arrow came from a crossbow, just based on what it is.”

As Kimiko’s stitches heal, Kocher says, the PSPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team is investigating to try to find the person or people responsible for her injury.

“We feel lucky that this cat survived her injuries and will make her recovery, but we are trying to find out, obviously, who is responsible so that we don't have to be lucky next time,” Kocher said.

Anyone with information is asked to call PSPCA's cruelty hotline at 866-601-7722 or email cruelty@pspca.org to leave an anonymous tip.