Story Created: May 20, 2009 at 11:41 AM MDT
Story Updated: May 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM MDT
Valentine - Photo courtesy SimplyCats.org
Back in January, the cat pictured above was found with an arrow through its head - struggling to hang on to life. Prosecutors say a 12-year-old boy in Gem County shot the stray cat after he said he was trying to protect quail the cat was chasing.
The cat, nicknamed "Valentine," underwent successful brain surgery at West Vet Emergency and Specialty Center in Garden City. The female cat will be blind and deaf on its left side for the remainder of its life.
The doctor described the incident as a miracle. The arrow just barely missed the spine.
"To have it not penetrate the brain, just the eye and the ear and have it come about three or four millimeters from the brain, she's a lucky cat," Sean Murphy, a West Vet surgeon said at the time of the surgery.
With the strong local media coverage the cat received, Sheri Schneider, executive directo at Simply Cats, was certain the kitty would be adopted. They had several prospective families ready to adopt.
"We were optimistic she would be adopted by one of the folks who expressed interest," Schneider said in an email.
But several months after the horrific ordeal, Valentine is still waiting to be adopted.
What's making the adoption for difficult is that Valentine has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, which is similar to HIV in humans. The virus damages the cat's immune system leading to a series of secondary infections that may become fatal, according to The Cat Site.
Schneider says Valentine requires a home as the only cat or with other FIV positive cats.
Despite the setback, the cat is enjoying life and is now living at the adoption center and hoping for a new home.
"Valentine is doing quite well," Schneider said."She loves attention and having her picture taken. Simply Cats provides all that she needs while she awaits a new home."
For information on how to adopt Valentine or any other cat at the adoption center click HERE
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