Amanda McDonald’s world was transformed when her 18-month-old cat, Fernweh, came into her life, providing comfort and companionship during a challenging period of depression.
The Hamilton resident credits the playful feline for helping her overcome a three-year-long depressive episode.
“Fernie is still a young kitten … but she’s the light of my day and the joy of our neighbourhood,” McDonald shared online. “So many people come running to greet her when she’s out for a stroll. They tell me she brings them joy, loves them, and visits them daily, keeping them company.”
But when Fernweh failed to return home one evening, McDonald grew concerned. She canvassed her north end neighbourhood, calling out her cat’s name in hopes of finding her.
“My biggest fear was that she was dead,” McDonald said. However, by Monday evening, she heard a faint meow coming from a backyard on Simcoe Street.
It was there that she found Fernweh, who appeared injured, with an abrasion on her back and what seemed like a broken leg.
When McDonald rushed her to the veterinarian, the situation was worse than she had expected — Fernweh had been shot with an arrow.
The aluminum bolt lodged inside her had caused a serious infection by nicking her intestines. The trauma care costs began to mount, with an initial surgery estimated at $1,700 and the possibility of a $5,000 exploratory surgery if any complications arose.
Despite the harrowing experience, there has been some positive news.
On Wednesday, McDonald reported that her cat had come home following the initial procedure and its fever had begun to subside. “Fingers crossed we’re over the worst of it and she continues to heal,” she wrote on a fundraising page.
‘A warning to outdoor cat owners’
However, this incident sparked concern within the local community, where a warning issued on a neighbourhood watch group quickly gained traction.
In it, the user sharing the news of Fernweh’s vicious assault sounded the alarm of another, similar incidents that took place earlier this week.
“There is someone in the neighbourhood with a crossbow injuring animals,” Chantelle Desroches wrote on Facebook, sharing photos of Fernweh’s injuries alongside a freshly killed squirrel that a similar crossbow bolt had struck.
Desroches said that the incident will be reported to the police and urged other pet owners to be vigilant about letting their animals roam outside.
This story is developing. Check back for more.