Cat Shot With Arrow!

An unlucky cat in Georgia has some missing fur and scars...but also an amazing tale of survival!

Tom is a 5-year-old family cat with a whole lot of personality...and a whole lot of strength.

"He's got the exit wound and entry wound where that arrow was lodged in him."

Tom survived a cruel and unnecessary act that could have taken his life.

"He's healing nicely and his infection seems to be under control."

Dr. Larry Branch has seen a lot through the years working as a veterinarian but he's never seen a case like Tom's.

"For any creature human or animal with a weapon still impaled in his body that's pretty shocking."

Branch was called to the home of th Hancock family in Tiftin, GA, who had made a shocking discovery.

"Tom was sitting at the bottom of the steps with an arrow through him." "He had been found like that on tuesday, three days before. Attempts had been made to catch him and bring him in for health care but he got away and he hadn't been found for three days."

Dr. Branch found Tom hiding under the family's SUV and had to sedate him to bring him in for surgery.

"The fact that he had the arrow for three days and he was able to sit up and look at me like that was a good sign that he hadn't punctured a lung or something that serious."

Thankfully, Dr. Branch says the arrow only punctured muscle and bones...but no vital organs.

"I think Tom is going to completely recover from this but in the process i hope he gets out a message you don't treat cats and dogs like this."

"I was very upset for my children this is not just a cat this is my children's pet."

"The girls will be glad to see you Tom."

Tom's owner says he normally spent 90% of his time inside...but after this incident, wh won't go outside again.

Hancock believes someone living close to his home intentionally hurt his cat. He also things the person who shot Tom then broke the arrow off in the cat's back -- since the arrow couldn't have been shot the way it was found.

Tift County Sheriff's investigators say they will press charges if they find out who did it.