The Sarnia and District Humane Society says Joe the cat has successfully undergone surgery to remove the pellets in his head and is "doing extremely well."

A post on the organization's Facebook page explains that Dr. Sarah Rappaport and her team at the Blue Cross Animal Hospital successfully removed all but one of the pellets.

The remaining pellet is not expected to pose a problem for Joe, but he will remain at the Blue Cross Animal Hospital as he recovers so he can be closely monitored.

Joe was found at the side of the road in Brights Grove, Ont. on Sunday. He had been shot in the head 17 times with a pellet gun and was dehydrated and malnourished.

The humane society is also thanking the community for their donations and encouragement.

An investigation into what happened to Joe continues and anyone with information is asked to call the humane society at 519-344-7064 or the Sarnia Police Service.