PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix firefighter is being credited with saving the life of a kitten pulled from a house fire six weeks ago after multiple veterinary clinics said the animal likely would not survive.
The kitten, named Toast by the firefighter who rescued him, was the only animal to survive the fire. Several other cats died. After the rescue, the firefighter spent hours driving to multiple veterinary clinics seeking care.
“He had been going from veterinarian office to veterinarian office looking for help. About 50 percent of people said he should be euthanized, and 50 percent said he might make it,” said Lisa Roselli, co-owner of Second Chance Kitten Rescue.
Burns all over his body
Second Chance Kitten Rescue agreed to take Toast in and coordinate his care.
“He had burns all over his body. His little feet. The skin was shriveled into little black pieces. His ears were burned, his tail. It was a really devastating situation,” Roselli said.
Veterinarian Dr. Angela Wood said Toast’s injuries were severe on intake.
“He was in pretty bad shape. About 80 to 90 percent of his legs from the elbows and knees down were severely burned,” Wood said.
To manage his pain during wound care, veterinarians sedated Toast.
“For two weeks, we sedated him every day and did bandage changes with him because he was just so uncomfortable,” Wood said.
Recovery and road to adoption
Toast has since recovered enough to play, run and interact with other cats at Second Chance Kitten Rescue. Roselli said seeing his progress has been significant.
“Words cannot describe the feeling to see him the way he is today, knowing what he was before,” she said.
Toast still has additional treatments and surgery ahead. Rescuers say he will be available for adoption after those procedures are complete. More information is available at Second Chance Kitten Rescue.
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