Ginger Cat Rescued From Busy Freeway In South OC

MISSION VIEJO, CA — A ginger cat in south Orange County just got a new lease on life, after Caltrans workers spotted the cat on the Interstate 5 freeway this past week.

"Three Caltrans employees spotted an orange ball of fur by the wall in the middle of the [freeway]," Mission Viejo City Spokeswoman Kelly Tokarski told Patch. "They were surprised to discover that the cat was alive."

The cat was carefully scooped up with whatever clothing the employees had in their trucks at the time before she was driven to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center for care, where she was named Callie.

Upon arrival, Tokarski said that Callie appeared to be in poor condition. She had severe road rash on her paws and nails and a limp on her left rear leg, as well as a burn on her back, and a scratch on her nose.

Thanks to Mission Viejo Animal Services Center's nonprofit DAWG, Callie was able to receive the treatment she needs. Once she is completely healed and spayed, she will be available for adoption.

"Sometimes it takes a village to help homeless pets in our community, and this is certainly the case with Callie," Animal Care Supervisor Brynn Lavison said. "We appreciate the compassion of the Caltrans employees, the hard work of Dr. Fahrtash, and the generosity of DAWG for helping to save Callie’s life."