Traumatised owners of cat shot with an arrow consider moving house

Vets have removed the arrow which went through Eileen's right eye and penetrated her skull, but say she could lose that eye. Photo / Dean Purcell

Outraged pet lovers have launched a fundraising drive for a cat shot with an arrow.

Her traumatised owners are too scared to keep the animal and are considering moving house.

The 8-month-old white cat named Eileen was taken to the Manukau After Hours Veterinary Clinic about 11pm on Wednesday after one of her owners woke to find her with an arrow embedded in her skull. Images posted on the clinic's Facebook page show where the arrow entered through the cat's right eye and penetrated through its skull into its neck.

Head vet nurse Kirsty Spemann said the business had taken ownership of the cat because its owners were scared it would be targeted again.

"They were so scared what someone very close to them has done and are looking at moving house. They don't want to take her back and have someone do it again.

"They are ... absolutely devastated by the whole situation," she said.

She did not believe the shooting was accidental, saying there were similar attacks on cats in the Howick area last year. A Givealittle charity page saw $3300 donated by last night.

Vets removed the arrow yesterday and sent it to SPCA investigators for fingerprint analysis. Police were making inquiries, a spokeswoman said.

Ms Spemann said it was possible the cat could lose her eye but that would not be until stitches were removed. She said Eileen was in good spirits and would stay at the clinic until she recovered then be rehomed.