A cat found in Burlington is recovering after being shot with a pellet gun, 18 times. The local humane society is nursing it back to health and hopes the public can help find the culprit.

The two year old tabby cat named John Wayne, was found by animal control last week near hidden valley road in Burlington. The Burlington Humane Society took over John Wayne’s care and found a vet surgeon in Caledon who could save his leg by putting a plate in it.

“This is one of the worst we’ve seen in a while, just the fact that somebody would purposely shoot at an animal continuously and leave 18 pellets.” Doug Shirton, Human society.

All 18 pellets are still inside him. The fixators holding the plate in place in his leg will be removed in a few months, then John Wayne will need a month of physiotherapy to fully heal.

“He will make a great pet, even with what he’s been through he’s always purring and wanting attention and loving, very sweet cat, very brave.”

He’ll be ready for adoption in three months.