A cat that was paralyzed after it was shot by an air rifle in Cumberland County was resting at a local animal clinic while staff searched for a person to foster it.

The young female cat was found Monday on Magnolia Drive in Commercial Township and was taken to the Animal Clinic of Millville, according to a Facebook post by Shore Animal Control.

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Vets originally thought the cat, dubbed Magnolia, was hit by a car because she was dragging her back legs and could not walk, but an x-ray showed that her spine had been pierced by a bullet, the post stated. The bullet was later identified as a .177 caliber air rifle pellet.

Shore Animal Control said the New Jersey State Police were handling the investigation into the shooting of the cat and that anybody with information was asked to their barracks in Port Norris at 856-785-0036.

Anyone who was interested in rescuing Magnolia was asked to call 800-351-1822 and anyone who wanted to make a donation toward the cat’s care could do so at [email protected].

Credit: NJ.com