Heather Weidmann (l.) and Abby Smith sit with Driver, the stray who was scaled with boiling water. The cat is in the care of Felines & Canines shelter while he gets treatment for his injuries.

CHICAGO — There's no telling how many lives Driver the cat has already used up.

But after the alley cat was scalded with boiling water and — after a social media-led push to find the cat and his abuser — he has made his way to Felines & Canines shelter in Edgewater and is fighting for another chance at life.

Driver, as he has been named by those that rescued him, was recently lured to a Greater Grand Crossing porch by an 18-year-old man who then dumped boiling water on the cat.

Leon Teague, a Dunbar High School senior, filmed himself abusing the cat and posted the video to Facebook, allegedly saying it was done because the cat was coming around and begging. He was arrested Feb. 4 and is charged with animal cruelty and animal torture.

READ: MAN CHARGED WITH SCALDING CAT NABBED WITH HELP OF FACEBOOK ACTIVISTS

Police made the arrest after being notified of the case by animal advocates on Facebook and other social media. Two of those activists went to Greater Grand Crossing to search for the cat, found it and turned it over to Cook County Animal Control.

The cat was then released to the woman who found out, who then brought it to Felines and Canines, a no-kill shelter in Edgewater. Driver remains in the shelter's care — that is, when he is not receiving extensive medical for his burn-related injuries — said Abby Smith, executive director of the shelter.

"He's definitely in pain — it's much worse than we thought," Smith said. "He's such a friendly, nice cat. He's in for a little bit of a rough ride."

Driver sustained significant burn wounds to his side, back and legs. [Felines & Canines]

Driver has "massive" burn wounds to his back, side and legs, Smith said. Veterinarians at Animal Care Center of Chicago are working to clear the burned, infected area before he undergoes laser therapy to aid in skin regrowth, she said.

The shelter is footing the bill for Driver's recovery, and is asking supporters to consider giving aid in the effort.

Despite suffering greatly at the hands of a human, Smith said Driver is very friendly and affectionate cat. If all goes according to plan, Driver should be available for adoption within a few months, she said.

"He likes our touch, responds to our voice," she said. "He'll make a recovery, it'll just take a long time."

Since he was a stray, Smith said those who rescued the cat had to come up with a name. They settled with Driver, she said, because "he's driving through the pain, through the fear."

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