The person who found Fu Bao opened a can of cat food and placed it in front of him. He had been searching for something to eat beside a busy road, but now he remained tucked away in the corner of his carrier. The food sat untouched.
His rescuer had spent the entire night searching for him. During their first attempt to approach, Fu Bao slipped down a narrow path and disappeared. Despite having injuries to both front legs, he knew the surrounding alleys well enough to escape.
By the third day, however, the same person was holding him as he drifted off to sleep. As Fu Bao became comfortable, he nestled deeper into their arms.
It Took All Night to Find Him
In the rescue account shared on the Paws Nook YouTube channel, Fu Bao’s caregiver explained that they had left food nearby before settling down somewhere they could watch for him.
When they spotted him again, his fur blended so naturally into the surrounding bushes that they almost failed to notice him. Only a small movement revealed where he was hiding.
The rescuer soon realized they needed another person to help.
“It was difficult for me to control the cat alone, so I called a friend to help,” the caregiver explained in the video’s subtitles.
Working together, they managed to get Fu Bao safely into a carrier.
Once he had calmed down, the rescuer took him to a veterinary hospital. According to the rescue account, X-rays confirmed fractures in both front legs, while the veterinarian also discovered that his muscles had become weak.
The vet recommended allowing Fu Bao to rest at home before deciding on a suitable treatment plan.
The First Meal He Finished
On his third day in the new home, Fu Bao was still spending much of his time hiding in corners.
That morning, however, his caregiver woke up to discover that he had finished his canned food.
For cats arriving in unfamiliar surroundings, having a quiet space can help them adjust at their own pace. Cats Protection advises, “Avoid crowding around the carrier or trying to lift them out.”
Later that day, Fu Bao finally allowed his caregiver to hold him.
He showed little interest in the treats offered to him, but something changed when his caregiver gently stroked his paws. He began to purr, and before long, he had fallen asleep in their arms.
By the seventh day, his caregiver returned home to find Fu Bao waiting on the sofa.
One Leg Began to Bend
After visiting a specialist, Fu Bao was given a rehabilitation plan.
On day 16, a veterinarian worked on improving the alignment of his joints and instructed his caregiver to perform regular stretching exercises at home.
Three days later, the caregiver finally gave him a name: Fu Bao.
The exercises were part of a rehabilitation programme designed around his individual needs. As VCA Animal Hospitals explains, “These programs gradually increase in intensity and take into account each pet’s condition, stage of healing, and current abilities and limitations.”
Then, on day 53, his caregiver noticed something encouraging. Fu Bao had managed to bend one of his legs.
A few days later, they reflected on the long recovery still ahead.
“I would stay with him all the way, hoping he could get better,” the caregiver said in the video’s subtitles.
By day 67, Fu Bao could stretch his front legs farther forward.
By day 91, he was beginning to put some weight on them.
About a month later, another challenge emerged when his caregiver reported that Fu Bao had been hospitalised with feline panleukopenia.
After recovering from the illness, he was given a wheelchair to help him move around.
The Little Sofa Became His Spot
Between veterinary appointments and rehabilitation exercises, Fu Bao gradually discovered his favourite places around the house.
He enjoyed lying in the sunshine. Two of the other household cats sometimes groomed him when he struggled to clean himself.
His caregiver brought home several different beds for him, but Fu Bao repeatedly returned to one particular place: the little sofa.
By day 356, he had spent almost an entire year with the person who had once searched through the night to find him.
Back in the alley, Fu Bao had disappeared whenever someone approached.
Now, he had a safe home, familiar surroundings and someone who cared for him. When he went too long without seeing his caregiver, he would call out for them.
His journey had taken patience, veterinary care and countless days of rehabilitation. The frightened cat who once hid from the person trying to help him had gradually found a place where he felt safe.
