A 4-year-old cat is healing at a local shelter after she was found shot in the eyes in Denver.

The longhair cat, named Shelly, is in stable condition at Humane League of Lancaster County, where she was brought Monday after a good Samaritan rescued her from along Trailside Drive.

Humane League veterinarian Bryan Langlois said Shelly will recover from the pellet wounds, but she's likely to lose at least one of her eyes.

"Bryan said Shelly is responding very well to antibiotic therapy and is doing as well as can be expected at this time," Humane League administrative marketing assistant Becki Gotshall said Tuesday.

Shelly is receiving IV fluids to hydrate and ready her for X-rays to locate the pellets, which appear to have been shot into her neck and face.

"She might end up with some sight in her left eye, but we won't know that for sure until she recovers further," Gotshall said.

Shelly was severely dehydrated when she was discovered, and infection had set into the wounds on her face and neck. Langlois said he believes she was shot several days ago and survived the bitter weather until her rescue Monday.

"We don't know if somebody thought they were shooting at a squirrel or raccoon or something else," Gotshall said. "I would be horrified but not shocked if someone did it on purpose because we have seen this type of thing before."

Anyone with any information about Shelly's previous owner or the shooting is asked to call the Humane League's Humane Society Police officers at 393-6551.

Meanwhile, Shelly is expected to recover and be ready for adoption in a week or two.

"Despite her injuries, she has an extremely sweet temperament," Gotshall said. "We're looking for a loving home for her once she has recovered."

Shelly will be available for adoption at the regular adult cat price. Donations for her care also can be made by calling the Humane League at 393-6551 or going to HumaneLeague.com.

"We would certainly appreciate that, because we're incurring additional medical expenses that we don't normally incur with a stray dog or cat," Gotshall said.

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com