Gracie is paralyzed from the waist down. But that doesn't stop her from getting around.

The black and white kitten goes where she wants to go – and quickly – she just looks a little awkward dragging her back end.

Gracie is one of four kittens and a mother being fed and cared for by a Coplay Borough resident. Last week, the resident called a member of the Coplay Feral Cat Committee to report one of the kittens had been injured, said committee member Karen Shields.

"So we took it to the vet and the vet said it had a bite wound and it had a bullet wound," said Shields, adding the diagnosis was made via an x-ray. "She drug her back legs ... trying to get away from us, but she didn't seem to be in any kind of pain."

The kitten, named Gracie in honor of her "amazing grace," is currently on antibiotics. She will need surgery to remove the bullet, said Shields. Otherwise infection will set in.

"We're hoping that therapy will work [and] that we can get her to move her legs again," said Shields.

The surgery is estimated to cost $500, said committee Chairman Bill Leiner Jr.

Surgery is tentatively scheduled for the week of Oct. 28 to allow the kitten time to get over a mild fever.

Most likely, Gracie, who is about three months old, will need to use a cart to support her hind end. The committee hopes that someone interested in adopting a special needs cat will give Gracie a permanent home.

Although Gracie is afraid, she has calmed down considerably and now will reluctantly allow people to pet her.

None of the other kittens had been harmed, said Shields, though the committee will attempt to relocate them to keep them safe.

"I did report this to the police," said Shields. If the culprit is caught, Shields hopes he or she will be charged.

To donate or to receive more information on adoption, call Leiner at 610 261-2804 or email billleiner@aol.com.