It seems the age-old myth that cats have nine lives might hold some truth for a Maine coon from California named Aggie. This cherished feline was thought to have perished in the aftermath of the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, which devastated her family’s residence. However, her owner, 82-year-old Katherine Kiefer, maintained a sliver of hope that Aggie would return.
Recently, Katherine received uplifting news from the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter. Her daughter, Carolyn Kiefer, captured the heartwarming reunion on TikTok, and the emotional video quickly amassed over a million likes. The footage reveals Katherine in tears of joy as Aggie contentedly nestles in her embrace.
“I was deeply concerned it was all a dream,” Katherine admitted.
On the day the fire engulfed her neighborhood, Katherine was at a medical appointment, and her children were unable to locate Aggie — who had a habit of hiding — during their efforts to evacuate her.
“The first thing my mom asked was, ‘Did you save Aggie?'” Carolyn recalls.
Numerous pet owners faced challenges in retrieving their pets during the frantic evacuation caused by the Palisades wildfire in January.
Five-year-old Aggie was a gift to Katherine from a friend during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The video of their reunion has touched so many online that people are eagerly requesting daily updates. The family’s GoFundMe campaign to cover Aggie’s veterinary expenses, with a goal of $30,000, had surpassed $21,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
Aggie has undergone multiple blood transfusions and is currently under the care of a specialist.
“She was nothing more than skin and bones, experiencing severe starvation,” Carolyn stated.
The family eagerly anticipates Aggie’s release from the hospital on Thursday, marking their official reunion. Katherine, awaiting her feline companion’s return, shared advice with other pet owners: “Never underestimate the resilience of cats,” she advised.
