The recent discovery in Grenville of a cat with an archery arrow shot through it has raised alarm in the community and has one local animal welfare activist concerned.

Pat Bracelin of Hawkesbury runs a cat rescue service and is the local organizer for Operation Spay and Neuter, which aims to humanely control the local feral cat population.  She was notified last week about a large, black cat found on rue Foucault in Grenville that had an archery arrow sticking through it.  The cat was still alive but in obvious pain.  Bracelin and a couple of neighbourhood residents rescued the cat from underneath a garage where it was hiding and took it to a veterinarian in Lachute.  Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the cat and it had to be euthanized.

“There was no choice,” said Bracelin, who noted that the veterinarian was shocked by what had happened and had never seen anything like it before.

Bracelin is hoping whoever was responsible for shooting the arrow through the cat is found or comes forward.  She has contacted the Sûreté du Québec and the Québec department of agriculture, which has responsibility for the enforcement of animal welfare laws.

“Something has to be done,” she said.

Bracelin found out that the arrow used was not one generally used for hunting, but was a field tip point, which is usually used for target practice.  The arrow was more than 20 inches long with plastic fletches which means it was likely fired from a compound bow.

This was not the first time Bracelin has intervened for cats in Grenville.  She rescued 20 from the same neighbourhood in the fall of 2018.  Bracelin said the cat shot with the arrow was part of the same colony and had a position as its sort of patriarch and was 10 to 12 years old.  She referred to the cat by the name Alpha as a result.  She is also concerned about other reports she has heard of cats disappearing from the community.

In an effort to find the person responsible for the shooting and eventual death of Alpha, Bracelin has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a reward.  Donations to that fund can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/nn6kt7-justice-for-alpha?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR2CaxAoljTKpopQrWVmviFM4W3I7kVYvqhDA63TshzNT38iHpidpJRFhZA

Bracelin does most of the cat rescue work herself.  She relies on donations and volunteers.  For more information, anyone interested may contact her at 613-632-3467, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OSNcats/

“Alpha” was found in Grenville with an archery arrow shot through him. He had to be euthanized by a veterinarian in Lachute. Submitted photo.