Callie’s Care: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Healing a Working Cat
When Callie came into our care with a broken leg, we knew she needed help—but what many people don’t see is what happens after the emergency is over.
Caring for an injured animal isn’t just about a one-time vet visit. It’s about day-to-day commitment, emotional energy, and financial responsibility. While the love and care come naturally, the rest can be overwhelming—especially for small rescues.
How Your Donations Help Keep Working Cats Safe and Healthy
As part of our mission to control the cat population, Homeward Bound provides essential medical care to working cats, strays, and feral cats. By supporting these cats, we help ensure they can remain with their caregivers, whether they are farm cats, strays, or part of a colony—avoiding the need for shelters or other less ideal situations. Veterinary care is vital to their well-being, and extended treatments can be costly. Homeward Bound relies on the generosity of individual donations to continue this mission, and we are deeply grateful for the support shown throughout Callie’s treatment.
“A working cat is typically a stray or feral cat that helps control pests, often living on farms or other properties where they are cared for but not kept as indoor pets.”
Thanks to the kindness of our donors, all of her care costs have been covered. However, Callie’s recovery is ongoing, and she will need additional veterinary visits in the future.
A Day in the Life of Healing
Callie’s daily recovery routine includes:
Morning and evening medications
Irrigating open wounds and applying antibiotic spray
Cleaning her kennel and changing pads at least twice a day
Monitoring for signs of infection or swelling
Regular vet visits and follow-up care
And perhaps most importantly—gentle attention and affection to help her feel safe and loved
Callie’s healing is still ongoing. Her open wounds will take about two more weeks to fully close, which means this level of care and vigilance will continue daily until she’s fully recovered. She stays calm and even purrs while we irrigate her wound, never putting up a fight.
💛 Why Share This? 💛
We wanted to open a window into the quiet, behind-the-scenes work of animal rescue. When you foster, donate, or adopt, you're making this kind of care possible.
Callie is healing beautifully. She’s adapting to life on three legs, becoming more confident, and still loves a good snuggle. Watching her bounce back reminds us why we do this work.