Cat Found in Arlington Shot, Blinded with More Than 30 BBs

A buff-colored tabby cat was recently found in Arlington riddled with more than 30 BB pellets, according to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, in their newsletter sent out Friday.

"Arrow," as the shelter is calling the cat, was found near Ballston Common Mall by an Arlington resident who brought the male cat to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington on South Arlington Mill Drive in Arlington.

The shelter veterinarian found that the cat is blind, with the right eye shrunken. The cat's left eye has a dilated pupil and lens opacity. The vet staff named him Arrow and sent him out for x-rays. "We were shocked to learn that he had at least 20 BB pellets in his head alone," shelter staff said in the latest copy of Shelter Tails, the e-newsletter. 

The BB-shooting is most likely the reason for his blindness, according to the shelter newsletter. Although it was shocking to see so many BBs in one animal, there was no medical reason to remove them, as it would cause more trauma, staff noted. 

The cat was neutered, his badly damaged right eye was removed, and a vet also performed a dental cleaning with extractions. 

"This sweet boy is now recovering in our offices being closely watched by our medical team," shelter staff noted. "We are hoping for his full recovery and eventual adoption."

The shelter was closed Friday due to snowy conditions.