Swansea cat Fifi lucky to be alive after being shot in the eye

A CAT was lucky not to lose its nine lives after being shot in the eye.

Fifi's owners were shocked when she returned home after disappearing for two days with her eye ripped open.

They immediately rushed the three and a half-year-old tabby to the vets.

But mum-of-one Zoe Lewis, 22, of Bryn Vernel, Loughor, said nothing could be done to save the feline's eye — and it had to be removed.

Mrs Lewis said they were horrified to see the damage done to their lovely pet.

She said: "We were told by the vet that she's lucky to be alive.

"I was devastated when I saw her and thought I'd take her to the vets straight away.

"I had not seen her for two days — her eye was such a mess.

"The vet said her eye had burst inside and had to be removed.

"They told me they had given her an X-ray and found that she had been shot and found the pellet.

"The pellet had gone through her eye, went through her neck and into her shoulder."

She added: "Part of the pellet has been left in her face and they can't remove it as it's stuck in her cheekbone.

"I know she's lost her eye but at least we have still got her.

"My little one Ariana adores her."

Mrs Lewis said she was shocked at what had happened and said that following Fifi's operation she was recovering with her loving family at home.

She said: "Fifi has a cone around her neck and stitches in her eye and has had to have a lot of medication.

"It's an awful thing that happened — I can't understand why people do things like this. I just think they are disgusting.

"My cats aren't nasty, they have a very nice nature.

"I've had Fifi and Missy since they were born."

Mrs Lewis, who is cared for full-time by her husband Michael, said Fifi usually only ventured out behind their Loughor property.

She said the pet had been left shaken by the experience.

"Fifi didn't know what to do with herself after the incident," she added.

The 22-year-old said she wanted other people to be aware of what had happened to the tabby.

And she has also reported the incident to the police.

Mrs Lewis said: "I am waiting for the police to take the matter further.

"I phoned them and they are going to contact the local police officers to look at the evidence to see what they can do.

"I still can't believe what happened, I originally thought she had caught her eye.

"I'm appealing to whoever had done this not to do it again.

"Fifi has been harmed but luckily she is okay.

"I think it's disgusting what happened and I wouldn't wish it on any other animal."