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Some very lucky cats who narrowly escaped a fire in Illinois have warmed the hearts of their rescuers.

Back in March of 2018, a raging 5-alarm fire in an apartment complex on the north side of Chicago broke out around 8:30 pm. All the residents in the 72 unit building were evacuated as the fire spread through the walls on 2 of the 5 floors. It took fireman about an hour to extinguish the blaze that they determined began in a plumbing wall. Thankfully only 1 person had minor injuries but some resident felines were not as fortunate.

Photo: Facebook Chicago Fire Media; Brave firefighters exiting the building after successfully extinguishing the blaze.

Sadly one of the residents was found to have at least 35 cats living in her small home, some as young as newborns. Devastatingly only 25 of the felines were rescued from tragedy. A few of the cats that made it out of the inferno with their lives will wear permanent scars. 

Thankfully the owner signed the remaining cats over to multiple rescue organizations including CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation, so they could receive the care and medical attention they badly needed. Fosterers and medical staff would welcome the traumatized the cats into their homes and hearts.

Experiencing the worst of the injuries was a shy chocolate-brown female, named S’mores.

She was lucky to have one of the veterinarians from Village West Veterinary, the founder of CARF’s own vet clinic, fostering her to watch over her difficult recovery.

Photos: Facebook CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation

S’mores had suffered severe burns on her ear and paws. On April 4th, the team shared a nerve-wracking update on her.

She had been fighting a fever for 5 days and wasn’t eating so they’d been syringe feeding her and giving her fluids through an IV. The brave fighter was also put on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications for infections.

Through it all, she still loved snuggling with her favorite toys, receiving face massages and proved even with toasty paws, she could still “make biscuits” with no issues.

After a few days, S’mores was finally feeling a bit better. No doubt with the help of her candy-striper zebra and a fluffy sheep sent by a caring supporter of the group! =)

Photo: Facebook Bruce E. Silverman

She wasn’t out of danger yet though.

The sweet girl’s burns were so bad that surgery was eventually required to remove the infected tissue. This sadly included losing an ear and one of her toes. Volunteers were ecstatic when S’mores still showed love and snuggles, despite all she’d experienced.

Photos: Facebook CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation

While S’mores was battling infections and burns, another cat named Parker was also coping with the after-effects of the hoarding situation and fire.

Photos: Facebook Allison Tarr

On April 13th, CARF took in Parker, a beautiful grey girl who had been under the watchful eye of vets and medical personal since the fire. She was experiencing very bad skin issues from the environment she’d been living in.

One of the CARF volunteers had taken a special interest in Parker. For her birthday, Allison Tarr raised $740 for the lucky cat to help with her recovery! With the donations from her birthday fund, Parker is sure to start the next year of her life with hope and eventually a new furever home.

Photos: Facebook Allison Tarr

Another pair of rescued cats arrived at the center, happily having avoided injury from the flames and now out of the inhumane conditions.

From the moment they arrived at CARF, Ash and Cinder spread their joy and love to everyone they met.

Photos: Facebook CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation

The girls were both about 5 months old and without the ongoing recovery their “sisters” were enduring, were able to be put up for adoption in a short time.

On April 22nd, the adorable black and grey duo were scooped up together by one lucky family! It’s a wonderful thing that the girls were able to take the next steps of their life as a pair.

Photos: Facebook CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation

Just last week, CARF were pleased to announce more happy news about S’mores.

After several surgeries which required numerous trips to and from the vets office at Village West, S’mores captured the heart of her foster mom. Nursing the loving cat back from her horrific ordeal, there was no way she could let the cat go and S’mores will stay with her fur-ever! A purr-fect ending to a long and difficult chapter for S’mores. =)

Photos: Facebook CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation

Lots of great reminders to give – and keep – all cherished fur-babies from experiencing heartbreaking situations this this ! 

*Spay/Neuter your pets!

*Adopt Don’t Shop!

*Support your local rescue organizations!

*Fire Prevention Safety for your pets! 

*If you see something, say something! It’s not likely someone can hide the smell or sounds from 35 cats in an apartment building without anyone noticing. 

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