Broken, but Not Beaten: A Resilient Cat’s Inspiring Comeback

When Omelette, a brown-and-white tabby cat, was brought to the ASPCA Animal Hospital by his former owner on March 25, he exhibited signs of distress: licking his right hind leg excessively and bobbing his head back and forth.

“His abnormal behavior was consistent with a traumatic brain injury,” said Dr. Laura Niestat, a forensic veterinarian who examined him.

Exams and tests revealed that in addition to the brain injury, Omelette had suffered a host of both recent and older injuries including severe ankle fractures, trauma to the left side of his head, injury to his left ear and a left eardrum rupture, swelling on the left side of his chest and back of the neck, a suspected lung injury, an increased breathing rate, neurologic deficits in his left eye and a distinct fracture to his right thigh bone.

X-rays showed a recent fracture of Omelette’s right thigh bone (red arrows) and an older, healed fracture/injury to the right lower shin bone and right ankle (circled).

Omelette suffered bruising of his gums above the left upper canine tooth (red arrow), torn gum tissue over his upper front teeth (yellow arrow) and a bruise on his lower left lip (black arrows).

Inside his mouth, Omelette’s gums were bruised and torn, and his lip bled. There was also bleeding in his left ear canal and on his left front paw. Blood work was consistent with recent liver and muscle tissue injury and dehydration.

Omelette was swiftly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, where he was placed on intravenous fluids, pain medications and monitored for seizures. Because the previous owner’s account of an accident did not align with the types and severity of his injuries, the case was reported to the NYPD. The owner surrendered Omelette to the ASPCA’s custody and was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

Necessary Next Steps

Because Omelette’s previous leg and ankle injuries were not treated appropriately at the time, they could no longer be repaired. ASPCA doctors determined amputation of his right hind leg was necessary. But his brain injury air in his chest had to be resolved before it would be safe to operate.

Omelette in the ASPCA hospital's I.C.U.

“We needed him to be more stable,” said Dr. Karla Kovach, an ASPCA veterinarian. “With any traumatic brain injury, time is needed to bring down the swelling. We used medication to keep the swelling down, and he made it through the necessary two weeks without any long-term complications.”

Omelette underwent surgery on April 18.

Medical teams reported that, despite Omelette’s pain, he always sought affection, so staff went out of their way to provide it.

“His comeback was surprising, considering how traumatized he was,” said Dr. Kovach. “He didn’t know he was broken and just thrived with attention.”

A Place to Heal

Sarah B., an ASPCA foster caregiver since January 2025, spotted Omelette on the ASPCA’s “Foster Roster” and took him in on May 7.

“I liked the idea of getting to know different cats and wanted to make a difference, so I became a foster caregiver,” Sarah said. “I have the space, I live alone, and I like having cats around.”

Omelette in his foster home.

Sarah said Omelette was a good companion and very social.

“He didn't need any specific medical attention from me; he just needed someone to love,” they said. "He’s remarkably agile. Within a couple of hours in my place, he had claimed my office chair and jumped up on the couch.

“He loves having people around,” Sarah added. “He still had kitten energy and loved nesting in my paper recyclables and watching YouTube videos of birds. I thought he might be happy around other cats, too, because he’s so friendly.”

By mid-June, with an upcoming business trip on her agenda, Sarah returned Omelette to the ASPCA Adoption Center so potential adopters could meet him in person.

“I knew I’d miss him, but I wanted what’s best for him,” they said.

A Home with Other Cats

Gloria L. is an ASPCA Guardian — a monthly donor — who saw Omelette online and was intrigued by his story. On July 27, she visited our Adoption Center, where Omelette was housed in a large enclosure with other cats.

“I spoke with my husband, because we have other cats, and we both agreed we wanted Omelette,” said Gloria, who adopted him the next day.

Omelette, at left in foreground, and with Lawrence, right.

Omelette gets along well with the couple’s other adopted cats, including Mama Bug, Lady Bug, June Bug and 16-year-old Fuk Tau.

Omelette with Gloria and Lawrence, left, and dining with his housemates, at far right.

“He absolutely loves playing with Junebug,” Gloria said. “They chase each other and tumble together on the floor in playful wrestling matches. They also like to groom each other, licking one another’s fur — it’s so sweet. Omelette also grooms Mama Bug — it’s his way of showing love.”

Gloria said Omelette and “the Bugs” love to lie together on the windowsill, watching the scenery outside.

“It always makes me smile,” she said.

For Sarah’s part, she is happy to have provided a safe place for Omelette’s recovery, and that he’s in a loving home with friendly other cats.

“I feel good knowing I could help by fostering,” they said. “Omelette had such a rough beginning and is so resilient; he deserves the best.”

You can help change an animal’s life by becoming an ASPCA foster caregiver in New York City, Los Angeles, Asheville, North Carolina or Columbus, Ohio. Our friends at Animal Care Centers of NYC also need foster caregivers. If you live outside of these areas, you can help by signing up to foster at your local shelter.