Kong the Cat: A Story of Survival, Smoke and Second Chances

Animal control received a phone call on an early morning in February of 2022 to assist the fire
department. A multifamily home had caught fire, and one resident was rescued from the building
and brought to the hospital. Firefighters had successfully put the fire out, but the family stated
they have three cats that live in the house with them. Unfortunately, by the time Animal Control
got there, firefighters had found two cats that had passed away in the fire. One cat, Kong, was
still not accounted for, but firefighters had searched the scorched second floor and were unable
to find another animal. ACO Terkelsen searched high and low for the cat, and finally found the
terrified boy tucked up tight in the back underside corner of a box spring. Frozen in fear, covered
in soot, and soaking wet, Kong was carefully retrieved and secured by ACO Terkelsen.

Knowing how delayed the effects of a structure fire can be for people and animals, Kong was
rushed to the emergency room. He was immediately placed into an oxygen chamber to aid with
smoke inhalation. At this point, animal control was able to reach out to Kong’s family. They were
obviously dealing with the loss of their home and one family member was still recovering in the
hospital. With everything that this sweet boy’s family had going on, they were not able to afford
care after the tragedy and loss they had just suffered. Their cat needed around the clock
monitoring and oxygen for at least two days. Burns in the lungs and externally can show up
days later! With donations from people like you, Hearts to Pawz (now Westfield Animal Shelter
Heroes) was able to help this local family in desperate need and fund Kong’s ER stay. Kong fully
recovered and was reunited with his mom. Animal control was able to bring Kong back to his
family in their pet-friendly hotel room. That was the brightness they needed during a dark time.