Kitten recovering after being shot by arrow in Strawberry Mansion; suspect at large

The Pennsylvania SPCA is asking for the public's help finding the person who shot a kitten with an arrow in Philadelphia.

The kitten, named Kimiko, was shot last week in the 2100 block of N. 31st Street in the city's Strawberry Mansion section.

An x-ray image showed just how deep the arrow was embedded in her right thigh.

A caretaker found Kimiko with the wound and rushed her to Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency (PASE), where two surgeons worked to remove the arrow.

"Given the severity of the injury, we were concerned whether or not she would even make it," said Nicole Wilson, the PSPCA's director of animal law enforcement and shelter services.

Kimiko, who is between 1 and 2 years old, is now on the mend.

"Kimiko could easily distrust humans. After all, she was shot by one. But, she is so sweet, loving, and luckily recovering after her surgery," the PSPCA wrote in a Facebook post.

Law enforcement believes the act of animal cruelty was intentional.

"This is clearly somebody who was shooting with intent to harm," said Wilson.

Even though Kimiko is doing well, doctors continue to monitor her, and she may need another surgery. Staff are looking forward to her being well enough for adoption.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of those responsible is asked to contact the PSPCA's animal cruelty hotline at 866-601-7722 or cruelty@pspca.org. Tips can be left anonymously.

For more information about the Pennsylvania SPCA, visit PSPCA.org .