A cat rescued from a wildfire becomes quick friend of the man who saved him
“Hidden Rescuers discovered a ray of hope among the smouldering ashes of an area destroyed by California’s biggest wildfire in history. And he was excited to see them.”
A Foster City Fire Department team heard the panicked screams of an animal huddled up under a bush while searching for Camp Fire-affected areas that had been evacuated due to the devastating fire on Monday. It was a cat, but it didn’t matter what kind. First and foremost, he was a survivor in need of support. And the rescuers were more than willing to help.
The cat was naturally afraid at first, his burnt whiskers and burnt paws signs of a near-death experience. When the cat realised his struggle was finally over, his expression changed. Geoff Downing, a firefighter, was able to coax the cat to come out of hiding and snuggle under his arm.
At the time, both the rescuer and the rescue were filled with relief and excitement. They’d both found hope. “[An] immediate bond was built,” according to the fire department’s website.
The cat was given food and water to help him recover his strength. Firefighters referred to him as “Foster,” and he gave them another reason to smile. He selected Downing as his perch. Foster’s appreciation was clear, but the chance to save a life was a treasure in and of itself for his rescuers. “Scenarios like these frequently brighten the spirits of firemen who have seen nothing but pain and destruction for days,” the fire department noted. And it was clear.
Foster was then taken to the North Valley Animal Disaster Group for care. And possibly, from there, the cat will be reunited with his family. On Thursday, a fire department official told The Dodo, “There have been good leads.” While the exact amount of damage caused by the fire is still being determined as firefighters continue their rescue and recovery efforts, stories like this one bring much-needed encouragement to both rescuers and those affected that hope still exists.
CREDIT: FOSTER CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
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