Roseville, you’re this cat’s meow.

A surgery to remove three bullets from a stray cat came off without a hitch on Monday, after community members responded to an urgent plea for support from the Placer SPCA.

Big Ben was “doing very well” after the operation, Leilani Vierra, Placer SPCA executive director, said.

“He’s mobile,” she said. “We’re convinced he’ll be able to walk like an ordinary cat.”

The feline captured widespread media attention over the weekend after the SPCA said it was looking for donations to pay for a delicate surgery.

Big Ben was brought into the center’s shelter as a stray in June. Recently, he stopped moving his hind legs.

Staffers took him to get x-rayed, which revealed three bullets lodged in his body. One of them had shifted to his spinal cord, causing temporary paralysis. Staffers surmised the cat was used for target practice and had simply gone on living with the projectiles.

But the surgery was estimated to cost about $1,000, an amount that triggered the call for donations.

“We well exceeded the amount that was needed,” Vierra said. “Some people have called even as late as today offering to contribute to Big Ben.”

Vierra said donations in excess will go to the SPCA’s Guardian Angels fund, which supports medical care for animals in need.

“It can be as simple as infections to special dental work that an animal needs or repairing broken legs,” she said.

Big Ben will be put up for adoption, but not until his recovery is complete, Vierra said.

Neurosurgical specialists Dr. Robert Runyan and neurologist Dr. Jessica Holland performed the surgery Monday at VCA Sacramento Veterinary Surgical Center, which provided its cutting-edge facility at a substantially reduced cost. Sunrise Blvd. Veterinary Hospital Dr. Bill Fastiggi provided care for Big Ben leading up to his surgery and is overseeing his recuperation.

If you want to help Big Ben and the Placer SPCA, please call 782-7722 or (530) 885-7387, extension 102 or email funddevelopment@placerspca.org.