‘Sweet’ stray cat couldn’t walk after California wildfires burned her paws. Meet Hope
A “sweet” stray cat caught in the California wildfires has “stolen the hearts” of staff and volunteers at an animal shelter caring for thousands of furry victims.
Pasadena Humane encouraged its followers on Facebook to donate before midnight Feb. 1 to double their donation for animals affected by the Eaton Fire — like the stray shelter staff have been calling Hope.
She was found in the fire areas in Altadena with her whiskers singed off and burns all over her body, the shelter said in a Jan. 30 post. A photo shows burn scabs crinkling her ears, with bald patches around her eyes and a still-burned nose and mouth.
“She couldn’t walk due to the painful burns on her paw pads,” the shelter said. “She was scared, all alone, and needed our help.”
Rescuers rushed her to the ICU, where the team treated her wounds, bandaged her paws and gave her medications to soothe her pain, officials said.
“She had inhaled a lot of smoke from being in the fire area, and desperately needed oxygen,” the shelter said. “Luckily, we were able to get her supplemental oxygen before it was too late.”
Donations made before the end of the month will be matched “dollar for dollar” so the shelter can “provide 2x the lifesaving resources to animals like Hope,” the shelter said.
“Hope’s spirits and symptoms have been improving remarkably since she came to us, and despite her hardships, she is as sweet as can be,” officials said. “Even though she is in pain, she rolls over to ask for belly rubs when our veterinary team changes her bandages, and she’s stolen the hearts of staff and volunteers alike.”
She’s one of over 1,000 animals that “have poured through” the shelter’s doors over the last few weeks as the fires raged on — “many who are in need of immediate, lifesaving care,” officials said.
Animal lovers commented on the post to thank shelter staff or share they had donated.
“Omg poor Hope,” someone said. “Beautiful little lady.”
“God bless these pets and the wild life in the area,” another person said.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 4:45 AM with the headline "‘Sweet’ stray cat couldn’t walk after California wildfires burned her paws. Meet Hope."
