In 2017, Amy Pepler stopped to help a tiny orange kitten on the side of a highway. Years later, that same cat is learning to walk again.
Clementine, whom Pepler calls Clemmie, lost a back leg in an apparent pellet-gun shooting near her Eden Prairie home in August. No suspect has been identified.
What Happened to Clemmie
On Aug. 25, Pepler came home from work and found Clemmie on the couch. The cat was swollen, unsteady, and growled when Pepler touched her leg. There was a gash about an inch long.
At the vet, X-rays showed her femur had been shattered. Staff also recovered small pieces from the injury. Pepler believes they came from a pellet gun, and a friend who saw a photo agreed. That is her belief, which is why this is still an apparent shooting.
Her choices were reconstructive surgery, amputation, or euthanasia. Reconstruction meant 12 to 14 weeks of recovery, with no guarantee the leg could be saved. She chose amputation, done on Aug. 28.
“She’s not just a cat to me. She’s my best friend,” Pepler said.
Why This Matters
The word “amputation” is scary, but the numbers are kinder than most owners expect. A survey of British cat owners found that 89 percent of cats had a normal quality of life after amputation. Owners said it took two to six weeks to bounce back, and 94 percent would do it again if needed.
Cats elsewhere have been through something similar. Zoe, a community cat, lost a leg after being shot near a West Palm Beach flea market.
Learning to Walk Again
Clemmie spent most of her first week after surgery in a crate. By week two, she was beginning to move around the house and use stairs.
Then came muscle spasms that made her lose her balance. A vet suspected nerve pain and prescribed medication, and she has since walked several steps without falling.
For now she is staying inside, a change for a cat used to a little time outdoors each day. If your cat is a tripod, ask your vet about ramps, a low-entry litter box, and keeping weight down.
What Police Found, and What Is Still Unknown
Pepler reported the incident to Eden Prairie police on Aug. 29. An officer came back on Aug. 31, collected the pieces, walked the area with her, and arranged extra patrols.
The pieces were later discarded because police said nothing identifiable could be taken from them. With no suspect, the case was listed as inactive as of Oct. 15.
Neither Pepler nor her neighbor, Amy Dixon, saw what happened. Both believe the shot came from the direction of a nearby walking path, because Clemmie rarely wandered far.
Dixon put up flyers and signs, and neighbors have talked about cameras facing the path.
If Your Cat Comes Home Hurt
Pepler noticed swelling, unsteady walking, and growling when she touched the leg. Any of those after your cat has been outside is reason to call your vet that day.
A small wound can hide a serious injury, a point we also made about cat bites that look minor. Clemmie’s gash was about an inch long. Underneath, the bone was shattered.
Ask your vet for copies of the X-rays and records. If anything is recovered from the wound, ask the vet and police how to keep it safe before it’s thrown away. Then report it as soon as you can.
How Neighbors Can Help
A neighbor estimated the bills at about $4,000, including roughly $2,700 for the amputation. Pepler set up a GoFundMe and says the response has touched her.
Stories like this aren’t limited to Minnesota. A Holdenville, Oklahoma family found their cat shot with an arrow.
Has your cat ever come home with an injury you couldn’t explain? Tell me in the comments what you did.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only.