April is National Animal Care Month, a time to recognize the expertise, compassion, and daily commitment it takes to properly care for animals. At Lions Tigers & Bears, Southern California’s only accredited big cat and exotic animal sanctuary, that care often means performing complex medical procedures that rescued animals would otherwise never receive.
One powerful example is Kallie, a rescued tiger whose journey speaks to both resilience and the level of specialized veterinary care happening right here in San Diego County.
From Neglect to a Second Chance
Kallie was rescued from a defunct roadside zoo in Oklahoma after enduring years of neglect. She had been declawed and developed metabolic bone disease due to improper nutrition and care. By the time she arrived at the Alpine sanctuary, she was in critical condition with a severe leg fracture that required emergency surgery.
When complications from an antibiotic-resistant infection followed, founder and director Bobbi Brink and the veterinary team made the difficult decision to amputate her leg to give her the best chance at a pain-free life. It wasn’t an easy call, but it was the right one.
Ongoing Care and Specialized Expertise
Today, Kallie continues adapting to life on three legs with the support of a specialized veterinary and animal care team. Her recovery is ongoing, and she still requires additional procedures and treatment to address the lasting effects of her earlier conditions…