BLOOMINGTON - A Normal veterinarian says it's unclear whether a stray cat discovered with an arrow wound will survive.

"We removed the arrow this afternoon. He's still in critical condition, and its kind of touch and go," said Dr. Jamie Schertz.

The cat was in critical condition Saturday evening at Town and Country Animal Hospital on Linden Street.

The Gipson family of Bloomington, who discovered the feline in the 400 block of North Clinton Street late Thursday, continued to hope for the best outcome.

Lisa Gipson is praying she'll be able to bring the cat home Sunday or Monday, she said.

"He's a sweet cat. He listens when I call him," she said.

About 10:30 p.m. Thursday Lisa's brother Andy Gipson and their mother Jeanne Gipson, found the injured cat - whom they call Mellow Yellow, or just Yellow for short.

He'd been showing up on their Clinton Street porch for a few weeks. But they hadn't seen him for a few days.

"It was one of the most horrible sights I've ever seen," said Jeanne Gipson. "He had this stick kind of thing just poking out of his shoulder," she said.

The Gipsons called Bloomington police, and officers continue to investigate the report of animal cruelty. There are no suspects at this time.

The Gipsons made a few calls and eventually found Mellow Yellow help at Town and Country Animal Hospital.

After examining Yellow on Friday, Shertz, a vet at the clinic, suggested the cat's case might require the expertise of the University Of Illinois Veterinary School Of Medicine.

However, the Gipson family doesn't own a car, and we're unable to arrange a ride Friday night.

Lisa Gipson said she stayed up all night watching over Yellow.

"The doctors said they didn't thing he'd make it through the night. They felt like his internal organs had been hit by the arrow," she said.

"But in the morning, he was up and walking. He drank some water and ate some food," said Lisa Gipson. "I felt like he was doing better."

She called Town and Country, and the vets agreed to take another look.

"They were amazed he was doing better," said Jeanne Gipson.

They operated on the cat this afternoon.

"I just can't thank the doctors at Town and Country enough," said Lisa Gipson, who plans to adopt Yellow if he survives. "I can't believe there is a person out there shooting cats. It's awful," she added.

Anyone with information about the cat's injuries should call the Crime Stoppers at (309) 828-1111.