A California Maine Coon named Aggie has defied the odds, proving that the old saying about cats having nine lives might just be true.
The beloved cat was feared to be lost forever after the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles destroyed her family’s home. For two months, her owner, 82-year-old Katherine Kiefer, held onto a glimmer of hope.
That hope turned into reality over the weekend when Kiefer received a call from the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter. Her daughter, Carolyn Kiefer, shared the emotional reunion in a TikTok video that quickly garnered over 1 million likes. The video captures Katherine Kiefer’s tearful joy as Aggie snuggles into her arms.
“I was very much worried that I was going to wake up and it had been a dream,” Katherine said.
At the time of the fire, Kiefer was at a medical appointment. Her children tried to rescue Aggie, but the cat, known for hiding in times of stress, couldn’t be found. Carolyn recalls that her mother’s only question was, “Did you get Aggie?”
During the chaotic evacuation from the Palisades wildfire in January, many pet owners struggled to reach their animals in time.
Aggie, who is around 5 years old, was a gift to Katherine Kiefer from a friend during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the heartwarming reunion, social media users have been moved by the video, and many are requesting regular updates on the cat’s recovery. The family’s GoFundMe campaign to cover Aggie’s veterinary bills, which has raised more than $21,000 of their $30,000 goal by Tuesday afternoon, has gained significant support.
Aggie has undergone multiple blood transfusions and is currently under the care of a specialist.
“She was basically skin and bone, in a state of absolute starvation,” Carolyn said.
The Kiefers expect to bring Aggie home from the hospital on Thursday. Katherine, anxiously awaiting the moment, has a message for other pet owners: “Don’t underestimate cats,” she said.
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