Hospital ‘therapy’ cat shot

While Honey is recovering well after his surgery, the circumstances have left hospital staff and patients concerned.

“The cat is a roamer at night, but we’re not sure what exactly happened,” said Gilgandra MPS manager, John Alchin.

After hospital staff noticed Honey had a sore foot, they took her to the vet where it was thought to be a bite.

“Nadine Allen, the vet, said there were two puncture marks, so she put it down to a spider bite or something. She sent Honey off with some antibiotics and that’s all everyone thought it was,” Mel Phillips explained, one of Gilgandra’s hospital administration staff who has grown very fond of Honey.

After a week of Honey still not bearing weight on his foot, staff and patients began to worry it wasn’t getting any better. They took him in for an x-ray, and the vet claims to have found what appeared to be the remains of a bullet in his leg.

“She noticed a lump in his leg, and we agreed for him to have surgery to have it removed,” said Ms Phillips. “It’s just really scary, he’s well loved and someone has shot at him. He only goes to the hospital grounds and Coo-ee Lodge.”

Honey is microchipped, and is well known around the area. After appearing as a stray kitten 18 months ago, he became part of the furniture.

“He’s the therapy cat for up here, the residents adore him. We have regular families that feed him, so he really doesn’t venture very far,” said Ms Phillips.

The incident has been reported to the police, and they are investigating.