Miracle Cat Found Amongst Rubble After Horrific House Fire in Cleveland
A Cleveland family has a glimmer of good news after they suffered a horrible house fire early Saturday morning. Cecilia Li and her husband, Felipe Freitas, were able to escape the fire that police believed was intentionally set to their house.
The family assumed their pet cat perished in the fire, but the cat was found alive amongst all the damage on Monday in what can only be described as a miracle.
News 5 Cleveland reports, "Li and Freitas thought they had lost everything, including their dog Salami and cat Evelyn.
"She's been with me my entire adult life through everything," said Cecilia.
But, on Monday, inside that charred house, they found the good news they needed: their cat was alive.
The family took the cat to the vet for a checkup, and we were told that she was doing OK.
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The Cleveland Division of Fire tells News 5 that investigators believe the fire was set using an ignitable fluid. The police are still looking for a person of interest, and a K9 trained to detect ignitable liquids has been brought in to help with the investigation.
Even though few people will have someone intentionally set fire to their home, it's always good to have a fire safety plan in action for all of your family members, including your pets.
Fire Safety Tips For Pets
No one ever wants to think about something horrible like a house fire happening to their family, but the reality is every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. That's about 358,300 home-based fires every year.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your pets safe if an accident like this should occur is to have them microchipped. If a disaster happens and your pets escape if they are microchipped they have a much better chance of being returned to your family. Also it helps to make sure your pets wear collars with up-to-date identification tags, including your contact information.
Just like with your human family, regularly practice fire drills with your pets so they become familiar with what will happen if a fire should occur. Use treats and positive reinforcement to make it a positive experience.
Keep a small carrier if you have a cat and a separate leash for your dog along with a go-bag filled with pets supplies, vet records, and any medications your pet takes in a secure area. This bag is only to be used in case of emergencies.
Display pet alert stickers on windows or doors to alert firefighters to the presence of pets inside your home. These stickers should indicate the number and type of pets in your household. You can find these either on Amazon or through the ASPCA where you can order a pack for free.
If you would like to make a donation to the family, you can do so at this link here.
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