When Liz Carmignani stepped outside of her Laconia home Tuesday in response to a commotion, her neighbor delivered horrific news: Wolfie, Carmignani’s 10-month-old black and white cat, had been shot with a long black arrow with green and white fletching that remained lodged in its right hind leg.
Wolfie took shelter underneath a nearby porch at the Mountain View Condominium Complex. Despite Carmignani and her neighbor’s attempts to coax the cat out, the bulky arrow protruding from its body hindered mobility. It was only after the police dispatched an animal control officer to retrieve Wolfie with a net that Carmignani was finally able to rush the cat, unconscious, to the animal hospital for treatment.
The next two days were a blur of veterinary visits as Carmignani transported Wolfie from the Gilford VCA Hospital, where the arrow was removed, to the Meredith Place Veterinary Emergency Hospital for overnight care, and then to the Laconia VCA Hospital. As veterinarians determined Wolfie’s leg would likely need to be amputated, the medical bills piled up and totaled thousands of dollars.
By Wednesday, Carmignani created an online fundraiser to get some help with Wolfie’s expenses.
“All of his little bones were shattered & have no hope of healing so the leg must go. Please help in any way you can so I can bring my kitty home,” Carmignani posted on the GoFundMe page titled “Wolfie, kitten shot by arrow.” By Friday, she raised more than $5,000 and the page was shared upward of 1,000 times, with many of the 200 plus donors leaving messages of consolation and encouragement.
“Yesterday I was hating people & today I’m full of hope again – you all restored my faith that there are good people in this world,” Carmignani shared on Facebook.
As Wolfie underwent surgery at Cedar Surgical Veterinary Hospital in Concord on Thursday, Carmignani said the doctors hoped to save the injured leg. Metal rods and pins were placed inside the leg, and Wolfie is facing eight weeks of recovery time and additional surgery to remove the hardware. He stayed at the vet overnight so that he could be closely monitored.
Thursday’s surgery alone cost $3,000, Carmignani said. However, bolstered by the overwhelming support of fellow animal lovers, Carmignani said that she will “remain hopeful” and reiterated her gratitude to Wolfie’s caretakers and donors.
Carmignani told The Laconia Daily Sun that she does not plan to allow Wolfie outside after he recovers.
Matt Canfield, Laconia’s police chief, is overseeing the investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending the perpetrator. Police have determined that the Mossy Oak brand arrow was fired from a crossbow but have not identified any suspects.