After the Camp Fire tore through Paradise, California in November 2018, firefighters began searching the town for survivors. They were looking for both people and animals who survived the deadly fires.
As firefighters from the Foster City Fire Department checked a burned-down property, they heard desperate crying under a bush. Firefighters looked under the bush and found a cat staring back at them.
One of the firefighters, Geoff Downing, reached under the bush and carefully pulled out the cat. The cat’s whiskers and paws were burned, and he was understandably nervous. But he was still so happy to see the firefighters.
The firefighters named the cat Foster. Foster immediately bonded with the firefighter who had saved him, Geoff Downing.
“[An] instant friendship was formed,” the fire department wrote on their Facebook page.
The firefighters gave Foster plenty of food and water. Foster clung to his new friend Downing. He draped himself over Downing’s shoulder, and Downing couldn’t help but smile. After dealing with so much tragedy, Downing was happy to cuddle with the cat.
The Foster Fire Department said that rescues like this one help the firefighters just as much as the animals they’re saving:
“Scenarios like this will often boost the spirits of Firefighters who have, for days, witnessed nothing but tragedy and destruction. We are proud of the compassion and dedication our Firefighters show to not only their own community, but to other communities in need,” the fire department said.
Once the cat had recovered from his ordeal, the firefighters brought him to the North Valley Animal Disaster Group to receive treatment for his burns. North Valley is taking care of thousands of animals displaced by the Camp Fire. This rescue group is working tirelessly to treat these animals’ burns and provide them with love and care.
North Valley Animal Disaster Group will also search for Foster’s family. The fire department told The Dodo that they’ve gotten some good leads, and they’re hopeful that he and his family will be together again soon:
“There have been good leads, and I’m hoping maybe today will be the day we find out some good news.”
The firefighters who are conducting rescue missions are working incredibly hard to help all the survivors of the Camp Fire, big and small. If you’d like to support the incredible volunteers who are helping to take care of animals displaced by the wildfire, consider donating to the North Valley Animal Disaster Group.
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