Crawling happily all over veterinary technician Melissa Bulmer, making photos difficult, Marconi the cat is recovering quickly from suspected life threatening abuse.
Since being featured in The NEWS after being found near downtown Qualicum Beach a couple weeks ago, the cat now named Marconi in honour of his collar, has become a celebrity covered by provincial news.
A woman who had been feeding Marconi noticed something around his waist, which turned out to be a wire which the veterinarian said appeared to have been intentionally tightened around the cat.
The cat, which has not been claimed by anyone, has since undergone three surgeries to deal with the effects of the wire, which had skin starting to grow over it.
"He definitely wasn't feral," Bulmer said as Marconi climbed onto her shoulder, "He's a parrot cat, this is his favourite spot."
She said he is very social, well adjusted cat that gets along well with other cats and even dogs and loves attention.
Marconi will remain at the Lighthouse Veterinary Clinic until completely healed and then adopted out by Qualicum Cat Rescue (QCR), which trapped and brought Marconi to the vet.
Marconi may already be adopted out, but contact QRC about other cats available for adoption. Call 250-752-2797 or stop by at Qualicum Pet Foods, #104-166 First Avenue West.
As the second cat found in town with a wire wrapped around it, people are concerned there may be others.
All animal cruelty issues should be reported to the provincial line at 1-855-6BC-SPCA (1-855-622-7722) during the day or the RCMP after hours if it is urgent.