It’s a heartwarming story of a cat named Aggie and her reunion with her owner, Katherine Kiefer, after the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles.
In January 2025, the wildfire destroyed Katherine’s home, and Aggie, a 5-year-old Maine Coon, went missing during the chaotic evacuation. Katherine, an 82-year-old woman, feared the worst but held onto hope. Two months later, on March 8th, 2025, the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter contacted her with the incredible news that Aggie had been found alive near the ruins of their home.
The reunion, captured in a TikTok video by Katherine’s daughter Carolyn Kiefer, showed an emotional Katherine crying tears of joy as Aggie curled up in her arms. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 1 million likes, with viewers touched by the bond between the two. Aggie had survived in a dire state (described as “skin and bone” and suffering from starvation) requiring multiple blood transfusions and specialist care. The family raised over $21,000 of a $30,000 GoFundMe goal to cover her vet bills, and they were set to be fully reunited when Aggie was released from the hospital on March 13th, 2025.
Katherine, who had received Aggie as a gift during the COVID 19 pandemic, shared a message with other pet owners: “Don’t underestimate cats,” reflecting on her feline companion’s remarkable resilience. This story has captured widespread attention, highlighting the strength of pets and the hope that can persist even after disaster.
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