Shot, lost Brandy in miracle return

Alex de Vos
A Grovedale cat has survived a gunshot wound and almost five months in the wild to be reunited with his owners.
Brandy, the nine-year-old pampered pet, went missing from his Grovedale home earlier this year before being found in an “anorexic” state almost 20 kilometres away at Gnarwarre.
Owner Robyn Morrissy said she was “shocked and amazed” to hear Brandy had survived the attack.
“I was in Bangkok when I received the message that Brandy had been found,” Ms Morrissy said.
“I couldn’t believe it – I definitely thought we’d seen the last of him.”
A woman caught the ginger moggie at Gnarwarre before admitting him to Geelong Animal Welfare Society.
“The bullet is still lodged in him but they’re waiting for him to put on more weight before they operate,” Ms Morrissy said.
“I hate to think what else he’s been through.”
Ms Morrissy said the long-haired cat was found covered in mud and severely malnourished.
“He’s got some bald patches on him where the vet had to shave off his matted fur,” she said.
“His collar is more like a necklace on him.”
Ms Morrissy said she was surprised at his disappearance and survival.
“He’s such a pampered pet – he doesn’t really wander far from the property.
“When he got home he went straight upstairs and jumped onto his favourite sleeping spot on the end of my bed – he loves cuddling up to an old teddy bear.
“He’s been lapping up the attention – we’re so happy to have him back.”
Ms Morrissy’s mother, Diane Lodge, who witnessed the reunion, said it was an emotional event.
“He’s a very lucky cat – he’d already used one of his nine lives when he was hit by a car three or four years ago,” Ms Lodge said.
“I’ve noticed he’s a bit nervy now but he hasn’t stopped purring and is very cuddly.”
Ms Lodge said Brandy had shed four kilograms during the ordeal.
The vet described Brandy’s condition as the “worst” case of anorexia he had ever seen.
“He used to weigh about eight kilos – there was no fat or muscle left on him,” Ms Lodge said
The family had reported Brandy’s gunshot injury to police, she said.