COEUR d'ALENE — If your average cat has nine lives like the phrase states, Red just earned his 10th.

The 11-year-old tabby short-hair mix owned by Carson Kelley and his girlfriend, Katelyn Halpin, in Coeur d'Alene took a 4.5-inch blowgun dart to the face on Thursday — and amazingly survived.

The dart entered Red's head near an eye at a slight angle.

"It missed his brain by a half a centimeter," Halpin said. "He's one lucky cat."

Halpin said she's unaware of anyone in their neighborhood near Bryan Elementary who would've targeted Red.

"We have no idea of who would want to do this," she said. "We've gotten vague leads from the community, but nothing special."

Halpin said she believes the incident occurred between 2 and 5 pm. on Thursday.

"We were about to head out and our roommate came in and asked us if Red is supposed to have a cone on his face," she said.

Turns out the cone was the end of a blow dart that went into Red's head.

"It was completely terrifying for both of us," Halpin said. "Carson and I both thought that once the dart was pulled out, that would be it for him. It was amazing that he survived."

Red was rushed to Prairie Animal Hospital, where the dart was removed and Red recovered for the night.

"Carson believes the dart may have been special-ordered since it's thicker than a standard dart," Halpin said.

Halpin said it's doubtful that Red will be able see again out of one of his eyes, but he's doing well back at home and is on medication.

"He's almost back to his normal self," Halpin said. "His eye is a bit foggy, but it was a little foggy before.

"He's super happy to be home and is acting like his sweet self. He's very loving and very cuddly."

Halpin said Red likes to go outside in the summer, but he never strays far from his home on Eighth Street.

"He always stays between our house and the neighbor's," she said. "He doesn't wander so we know it occurred near East Birch."

Halpin said other blow darts have been found in the neighborhood in recent days. Other cats have been targeted in that area in the past, she said.

The incidents are troubling, especially with an elementary school nearby, Halpin said.

"We're nervous with these being found next to the school," she said, adding she fears a student could be injured if they pick one up.

Coeur d'Alene Police Detective Jared Reneau said no suspects have been identified.

"Pets are part of the family, so we feel the pain of the owners and want to catch who did it," he said.

Those with information are urged to contact Coeur d'Alene Police at 769-2320.