EDMONTON - Captain Jack the one-eyed tabby cat has been adopted.

The cat, shot in the eye by a paintball gun, left the Edmonton Humane Society on Monday afternoon in the care of his new owner, humane society spokeswoman Shawna Randolph said in an advisory to media.

“Hopefully (media) coverage will encourage someone to come forward and report something to the RCMP,” Randolph said.

Earlier Monday, the humane society publicized the story of Captain Jack in hopes that someone would adopt the animal, and that the RCMP might receive tips about what happened to it.

The eight-month-old orange tabby was brought to the shelter March 29, his left eye dangling and covered in red paint from a paintball pellet fired at his head.

The cat was rushed into emergency surgery and his eye was removed because it was mangled.

“It was so horrifying to see the cat in such a terrible condition,” Randolph said. “He was obviously suffering and in a lot of pain.” It’s likely the cat was hit by a paintball pellet the same day he was found and brought in to the shelter, according to the veterinarian who performed the eye removal.

The tabby, named “Captain Jack” by shelter staff, had been recovering since surgery and had been neutered.

He became available for adoption when the shelter opened Monday.

Randolph said Captain Jack is an extremely affectionate cat. Even without his left eye, he seems to be living a normal life,” she said.

“That’s the thing with animals, a lot can happen to them and they still trust and love humans.”

The cat was found in Fort Saskatchewan as a stray, and the Edmonton Humane Society is now pleading with anyone who knows who’s responsible for the shooting to contact RCMP.

More to come ...

cklingbeil@edmontonjournal.com

twitter.com/cailynnk