Cat shot in the head with arrow, left to die
Brownstown, MI (US)Incident Date: Friday, Mar 20, 2009
County: Wayne
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Police have not found out who shot a cat in the eye with an arrow back in March, but many will be happy to know that the little gray feline has found a loving home.
The story about Precious Angel, a 5-month-old tabby who was found wandering the streets in the township with the arrow piercing her head, tugged at the heart strings of many.
The act of violence infuriated many readers and it took her story from local to national news.
People continue to ask how Precious Angel is doing.
The answer is that, actually, she is just fine in a new, loving home in Naperville, Ill., thanks to Jean Laumann.
While reading the news on CNN's Web site, Laumann came across the story about Precious Angel. An avid animal lover, she was appalled.
Laumann said she was brought to tears and simply couldn't get the story out of her mind. She and her husband, Daniel, already had two cats, Miles and Sydney.
The Laumanns agreed Precious Angel would make a wonderful addition to their family and began talking about adopting her.
"I went home and cried like a baby," Laumann said of what happened after reading the story. "My husband said with all of the people who wanted her, we probably wouldn't get her. I told him he was right."
Nevertheless, Laumann contacted Vickie Taylor, vice president of WAG and a regular volunteer at the Brownstown Township animal shelter, and inquired about adopting the cat.
After township police found the cat it was Taylor and members of WAG Animal Rescue in Wyandotte who cared for her and donated more than $1,200 for her surgery to remove the arrow.
Veterinarian Kimberly Bolduc of Willowood Acres First Veterinary Clinic in Romulus performed the successful surgery. Many were amazed Precious Angel pulled through.
Donations poured in from concerned readers, as well as a substantial donation from an outside organization that resulted in covering WAG's cost of the surgery. WAG is a nonprofit organization devoted to the rescue and adoption of animals.
Numerous applications already had been submitted, but Laumann turned one in anyway.
"I felt better just doing that," she said. "I told Vickie I had no problem driving the five hours to come and get her."
Laumann made her application a personal one so those reading it could envision the personality of her family and the love they have for animals.
She said her cats have "the run of the house," and when asked where her cats are "right now," she replied they probably were on her kitchen counters where they were not supposed to be.
It appears the informative, yet light hearted, approach was appreciated.
The Illinois resident also has had other cats, including one named Gabriel.
Laumann's veterinarian was interviewed as part of the adoption process. She told Taylor how Laumann recently rushed Gabriel to an emergency animal facility when he became ill and paid for him to receive care. When it was suggested he be euthanized, Laumann again tried to save the cat, with additional treatment. It totaled more than $1,000.
The cat's condition was improving. Two days before Laumann was to go on a camping vacation in West Virginia, she visited Gabriel, who was still under the veterinarian's care. While Laumann was holding him, he suddenly died in her arms.
The accounts of Laumann and her family's love for animals proved to be a plus for her.
"When she told me I could adopt the cat, I cried again," Laumann said.
Laumann's 11-year-old son, Joshua, also was thrilled. When he heard about how abused the cat was, the boy, who often talks about being a veterinarian when he grows up, knew the cat was coming to the right home.
Laumann has changed the cat's name to Dillon, which she said is an Irish name that means faithful companion. She said Taylor likes the new name.
Dillon is fitting in with her new family quite well. Laumann said that at first she hid a lot, but she is much more playful these days. Of all three cats, Dillon is the most active at night.
The family frequently hears her playing around the house during the evenings, which has become a comforting sound.
The family wants to make sure Dillon has a brighter future by helping her put her tortured past behind her. References« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
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