Cats often send an arrow to our hearts, like feline cupids that we fall head over heels for in an instant. We don’t understand people who would ever choose to abuse or harm cats or other animals. And we’re glad we never will.
Thankfully, most of us have basic empathy skills, the ability to feel for others and animals. But a select few creeps do not. News online tends to focus on the negative actions of those few horrible people, but for every such person, vastly more kind people are doing all they can to help.
One such kind person is our friend Jessica Kelly-Heckman from Cat Trap Fever Inc. When somebody in St. Petersburg decided to abuse a lovely cat, she, veterinarians, and many more supporters went to great lengths to make it right. Even those who weren’t ‘cat people’ came to support this kitty.
Warning: This story might be disturbing to somer readers.
PAKman the Cat
A ‘super-friendly’ three-year-old grey cat was much-loved in his neighborhood. So it was an attack on the whole community when somebody shot the kitty with an arrow. Miraculously, the cat survived with a full-sized hunting arrow protruding from his back.
Images via Facebook/Cat Trap Fever
On Jan. 31, Jessica Kelly-Heckman from Cat Trap Fever Inc. came to the kitty’s rescue and took him to the vet. Incredibly, the doctors were able to remove the arrow, and the kitty, dubbed PAKman for ‘Poor Arrow Kitty,’ pulled through.
Somebody shot PAKMan with an arrow but he miraculously survived
Video by 10 Tampa Bay:
Everyone Rallied for PAKman
Against all odds, the arrow missed the kitty’s vital organs. However, he needed a delicate feeding tube as he recovered. Jessica carefully tended to him, using a syringe to inject his liquid diet.
Once again, the friendly kitty did remarkably well and was such a patient and lovable trooper.
A vet with lovable PAKman via Facebook/Cat Trap Fever
But he wasn’t out of the woods, needing additional surgeries. Everyone was rooting for him to make it and find the loving home he so deserved. And many donated to cover the considerable expenses.
“I want him to know that he’s been let down once, and we’re going to do everything in our power for him not to be let down a second time,” Jessica told 10 Tampa Bay.
Wonderfully, even those who don’t typically consider themselves ‘cat people’ have rallied around helping PAKman.
“The support for this cat is beautiful, even from people who aren’t within animal welfare, which is something we get excited to see, because not everybody cares about cats, clearly,” Jessica said in an interview with ABC Actions News’ James Tully. “It’s nice to see that people who don’t love cats can still be against the cruelty that this cat has gone through.”
Updated video from 10 Tampa Bay:
‘This Will Be One I Cry Over’
And then it happened. 10 Tampa Bay reported the outcome everyone wanted. A month after being shot with an arrow, a kind family adopted him and will keep him safely indoors from now on! Already, PAKman is “making biscuits on his furrever home’s pillows and soft blankets, in some incredibly loving arms,” Cat Trap Fever shared.
He’s a miracle kitty, so purrhaps his name should be MAKman now?
Image via Instagram/jessicattrapfever
Although Jessica isn’t one to shed a tear when her foster babies find homes, this lovable kitty shot an arrow straight to her heart and to ours, too!
“I’m never the person who cries about letting one of my foster cats find its home. And this will be one that I cry over,” Jessica said.
Screenshots via YouTube/10 Tampa Bay
She’s shedding tears of joy for his miraculous happy ending. Even better, she’ll get to visit him occasionally!
“This will truly be a hard cat to say ‘see ya later’ to. Fortunately, his forever family and I have bonded, so I will get to visit,” she said on Facebook.
Cat Trap Fever has continued TNR’ing (trap, neuter, return) over 12 cats living in the neighborhood where PAKman lived. But the work never stops, particularly as the dreaded ‘kitten season’ kicks up a gear across the nation.
“We’ve received boat loads more injured/critical cat calls then ever before since this boys miraculous story and we need all the help we can get,” Jessica said.
To help, you can follow and support Cat Trap Fever on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Video by 10 Tampa Bay:
Help Find PAKman’s Attacker
The perpetrator of the crime committed in late January is still unidentified at the moment. It happened somewhere around 72nd Avenue North and 33rd Street North in Unincorporated St. Pete. Detectives are investigating and we hope they find whoever did this to PAKman.
As the video says, there have been several other animal cruelty cases in the last month in the area. And disturbing cases of abandoned animals and neglect are rising, too.
It seems some folks don’t realize that abandoning animals is a misdemeanor crime that can result in jail time and steep fines. However, intentional neglect and abuse can result in a third-degree punishable felony and a fine of $10K in the Sunshine State. And they definitely lack basic empathy, which harms the whole community.
If you have any information, you can contact Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS) or the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
