Lieutenant Ann Hoag appeared on the local Auburn, WA news to discuss what happened when five kittens arrived at the fire station.
In early April, in Auburn, WA, local community members found five abandoned cats outside the South King Fire and Rescue Station 65. Two of the cats were adults, while three were tiny kittens. However, there would be more kittens arriving soon.
At the time, the station was under construction without any staff. After caring for the cats overnight, the citizens took them to Station 64 the next morning, reports KING 5.
When the firefighters saw the unexpected feline visitors, they welcomed them “with open arms.” In particular, they were welcomed by Lt. Hoag. She appeared later on “New Day NW” with journalist and kitten lover Amity Addrisi. As she interviewed the lieutenant, she held two of the cuties in her lap. (see video below)
“Ann, I hear you are a sucker for kittens just as much as I am,” said Addrisi.
Amity Addrisi holds two kittens. Images via YouTube/ K5 News
“Yeah, I have a little bit of a reputation,” confessed Hoag. “Chronic animal gatherer,” she continued.
“So you’re the one I actually can call when there’s a cat up a tree,” said Addrisi.
“100% that’s me. Yeah, I’m your girl,” affirmed Hoag.
Left: Amity Addrisi Right: Lt. Hoag holds Cricket
Lieutenant Hoag Gets a Call
The day the kittens arrived at Fire House 64, Hoag was off duty but received a phone call.
“My coworkers, knowing how obsessed I am with cats, and all animals, called me, of course, to come in off-duty,” she said. “I came in, and took the cats, of course,” she continued.
Amazingly, Lt. Hoag says she found a home for all five abandoned cats within an hour!
Two of the kitten delivered to the Fire Station in Auburn
“I just got really lucky that day. The crew on duty happened to be full of cat lovers. Two of my coworkers took a kitten and an adult cat. And, then one of our retired paramedics took two of the other kittens. Then, I adopted one of the adult cats as well,” she said.
🐈⬛ More Kittens Arrive 🐈⬛
After finding all five cats a home, the rescuer was in for a surprise. After a trip to the vet, the firefighter learned that the adult momma cat she chose to adopt, Cricket was pregnant.
“So, Cricket was pregnant. I took her to the vet and they said, ‘Yep, she’s in her Third Trimester. Expect kittens any day.’ Of so of course, I’m just over the Moon about that,” said Hoag.
Sadly, Cricket had her kittens soon after while Hoag was at work, and they were stillborn. The loss was a traumatic one for the animal lover.
“It was the worst day,” she said.
Despite the setback, the firefighter was determined that Cricket would have a litter of kittens to nurse. So, she took to Facebook to search if any local cat rescue groups needed a momma for any abandoned local kittens.
“My cat just had stillborn kitties this morning and has milk and love to give,” Hoag posted.
Amazingly, the Facebook community quickly networked and connected Hoag with someone who found a box of abandoned one-week-old kittens in nearby Yelm. That afternoon, Hoag traveled to meet them and took in the kittens.
Image via Facebook
Now back at home with the kittens, would Cricket accept the kittens? Fortunately, Cricket readily accepted them when Hoag introduced the kittens to a box.
“She just started nursing them immediately,” Hoag explained. “She doesn’t even know they’re not hers.”
Three weeks later, the kittens are “fat and happy” and even resemble their surrogate mom, Cricket.
“I think you could be my favorite human ever after all you did,” said Addrisi.
“It’s selfishly motivated; I mean I get kittens, so look at this,” joked Hoag as the kittens walked around the TV set. Three kittens, Eloise, Moose, and Gandalf, joined Cricket in the studio.
All Eight Cats and Kittens Found Homes
Thankfully, all the cats found homes. While the firefighters adopted most, a police officer and a King County Medic One Paramedic adopted the remaining cats.
“Eight cats now, who were abandoned outdoors, now have homes.,” said Hoag.
Thanks to the staff of Fire Station 64 and Lieutenant Ann Hoag, these kittens and cats will have a chance for wonderful lives. Of course, it’s not generally recommended to drop kittens off at a fire station. Instead, it’s better to contact experienced rescuers like the Humane Society or a local No-kill shelter wherever possible.
“While we don’t typically recommend our fire stations as the first option for abandoned or injured animals, we’re always happy to help connect our community with the appropriate resources,” stated the South King Fire and Rescue.
“Typically, we recommend you try an animal specialist first,” Hoag said.
“You are a true hero, Lieutenant Hoag, humans and kittens alike,” Addrisi said, falling in love with the kitten sleeping peacefully on her lap. In 2021, Lt. Hoag was awarded a Medal Of Valor for heroically diving to save a man trapped in a sinking car.
Lt. Hoag receives Medal of Valor via Facebook
Video by KING 5:
