EDMONTON, Canada—A semi-feral cat is being hailed as a hero after repeatedly braving a burning barn to save her kittens—a dramatic rescue that left her severely injured but determined to care for her sole surviving baby.
The blaze broke out in a Canadian barn where the mother cat and her litter were living. Despite the danger, she raced back into the flames multiple times, managing to save just one kitten before being overcome by smoke and heat. Rescuers later found her with extensive burns covering her stomach, paws, and ears, along with smoke inhalation.
Furget Me Not Animal Rescue, the organization that took in the feline pair, shared the mother’s harrowing story on Facebook, calling her a “beautiful mama” and a hero.
“She was in unfathomable pain but still focused on caring for her surviving kitten,” the rescue wrote. Christine Koltun of Furget Me Not told CityNews Edmonton that despite being at capacity during peak kitten season, the team couldn’t turn away such a courageous family.
A Long Road to Recovery
The mother cat has already undergone X-rays, sedation, and antibiotic treatments for her burns. Rescuers say her damaged ears and paw pads will eventually slough off as she heals. Both cats will need to be spayed or neutered and microchipped before they can be adopted.
For now, the pair are safe in a foster home, where the kitten has begun eating independently—a promising sign amid their ordeal.
As kitten season strains shelters across the region, Furget Me Not’s efforts to save this brave duo highlight the extraordinary compassion of both animals and rescuers.
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