Julius, a new feline visitor, appeared on our backyard camera one day, making himself at home in one of our winter shelters. Our backyard is usually a safe haven for a colony of cats we’ve been caring for, but they surprisingly welcomed Julius, even letting him eat first! It was clear he was unwell—his heavy breathing and symptoms pointed to an upper respiratory infection. Yet, he kept his distance, so we carefully set up a drop trap to help him feel at ease.

Once we caught Julius, he started a journey of healing. The vet prescribed antibiotics, and after a few weeks of rest and care, Julius began to thrive. We gently brushed away his matted fur and wiped his eyes and nose, and eventually, he even started enjoying wet food, which helped his recovery. With three vet visits, two rounds of antibiotics, and loads of TLC, Julius turned into a playful, healthy cat ready for adoption.

Fostering Julius was bittersweet, but knowing he’s now off to live his best life as a cherished pet makes it all worthwhile. Meanwhile, we’re always ready for the next cat in need of love and care.