JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local veterinarian is treating a cat that she says was shot 25 times, and is going to survive.
Oliver is not even two years old and workers at First Coast No More Homeless Pets, where he is being treated, believe he could have been used for target practice.
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One of his legs had to be amputated but the vet says it's a miracle Oliver is alive.
FCNMHP says despite everything he's been through, Oliver is a happy kitty and healthy aside from what he's recovering from. They say he is recovering, eating and drinking and soon will be looking for a forever home.
"He went off and came back and he was limping. I didn't know what had happened. I thought maybe he got caught in a track. Or maybe another cat attacked him," said Addie Wheeler.
Wheeler found him in Waycross and was devastated when she realized what was wrong.
"He was shot twice and his body was full of buckshot," said Wheeler.
Wheeler thought he had only been shot twice, but workers at FCNMHP in Jacksonville say Oliver had been shot 25 times; his body peppered with BB gun pellets and a decent sized caliber bullet at the top of his spine. Because of that bullet, one of his legs had to be amputated
"He got very lucky. He had a lot of nerve damage in his leg and he still has nerve damage in his other leg that remains. Which makes him a special needs kitty, but he's great, uses a litter box and given everything he's been through, he still loves people," said Dr. Alana Canupp.
Canupp is a veterinarian with the non profit organization and says it's a miracle Oliver is still alive, saying he's lucky one of the at least 25 gunshots didn't hit a major organ or artery.
Oliver's surgery cost $3,500 and Canupp says it's likely a private veterinarian wouldn't have performed the surgery.
Wheeler is still upset over what happened to the cuddly cat, but is relieved he's going to be okay.
"Ya know, an animal is like a child, they need for someone to care for them. If you can't take an animal when they're too big to take care of or they're too much trouble, find some place for it to go don't drop it off for somebody else to take care of and worry about," said Wheeler.
The vets said Oliver loves other cats and dogs and is very friendly, but because of his condition, he should be placed in a home that has a relatively calm environment. If you're interested in learning more about Oliver or FCNMHP, click HERE or call (904) 425-0005.