Blinded Cat 'Arrow' on the Mend at Animal Welfare League of Arlington

Arrow, the tabby cat who lost an eye after being shot, is on the mend at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. The person who shot the cat has not been caught or come forward and no one has claimed the cat.

"He's healing well, people are taking shifts to visit with him," said AWLA President and CEO Neil Trent.

Arrow is being made comfortable in the back offices of the shelter, after surgery to remove his right eye. His eyelids are sewn shut and the stitches will eventually be removed, after a veterinarian removed his eye. 

BBs or possibly buckshot from a shotgun hit him in the head, Trent said.. An Arlington resident near Ballston brought him in to the shelter on Jan. 18.

If anyone is caught and purposely shot at Arrow, the charge would be Cruelty to Animals, under Virginia Code 3.2-6570, according to Dustin Sternbeck, Arlington County Police spokesman. 

Arrow (shelter staff and volunteers gave him the name after he was brought in) should be ready for adoption in about a week or so, after his stitches come out.

The buff-colored cat, who weighs 10 pounds, purred while being held for a quick photo and his hearing seems to be fine, according to staff. The shelter has received many phone calls from the public, wanting to adopt Arrow.

He'll need to go to a home, they say, that is fairly quiet and not too rambunctious. The shelter staff said they think he is about four years old.