The cat hurled over a south Brisbane fence in a viral social media video is looking for his forever home after losing an eye in the ordeal.
Samuel Conroy, 19, was ordered to do 120 hours of community service after throwing Marcello the cat over the fence in March.
Marcello endured 27 trips to the vet over the following two months, with soft tissue bruising and three bouts of stress-induced cat flu.
“The third relapse included a consequent severe eye infection,” RSPCA Queensland said in a statement on Tuesday.
Marcello, now one year and three months old, was at one point requiring medication five times a day.
“After initial treatment efforts were unsuccessful, surgery was required to remove the infected eye.”
His temporary foster carer Sharleen told The New Daily she calls him ‘Marc’ and didn’t realise they’d gone back and forth to the vet 27 times.
“I knew there were a lot of trips and we were sort of setting up a second home, but I didn’t know it was that many times.”
She said his demeanour had improved significantly with his recovery over the months.
“He was definitely very afraid when I got him. He was very reserved and he loved to hide. I actually made him a little box that he could hide in.
“He now follows me a lot and follows me around. He loves to play.
He has no idea he has only one eye now.”
Marc still seems to “feel very threatened” if he’s picked up or cuddled.
Visitors have to play with him “to show that they are nice people” for him to come out of hiding.
“Once he works out they want to play, he loves them.”
Sharleen has been fostering pets for the RSPCA for about one year, and ended up adopting one of the foster dogs – a border collie.
“I don’t ever really want to let any of them go. But I always know there’s someone out there [for them].
“My home isn’t right for Marc, not full time and I know that.”
She is also fostering a shar pei.
Marc is seeking a forever home with no dogs – or young children – even though he handles his current sharing arrangements “like a champ”.
Sharleen only received the go-ahead for him to be adopted out over the weekend after recovering from the eye surgery.
RSPCA Queensland appealed for a permanent family on Tuesday, saying he was now “bright and happy … enjoying a vacation in foster care” after recovering.
“Due to his trauma, he can be apprehensive with new interactions – preferring to take the lead, and get anxious with commotion,” RSPCA Queensland said.
“He is looking for a quieter home without dogs or small kids.”
Conroy, from Ipswich, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty but was spared a conviction. He was ordered to pay $1100 in legal fees and banned from owning a pet for five years, along with the community service order.
Anyone interested in adopting Marcello should call the RSPCA on (07) 3426 9999.
Live News
