Orange County Fire Rescue Nabs Award for Its ‘Clowder’ of Cat Rescues

PETA Recognizes Firefighters for Animal-Rescue Extravaganza

For Immediate Release:
September 7, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Fire Department Award is on its way from PETA to Orange County Fire Rescue for saving four cats in four separate incidents between August 24 and September 4. Two were rescued from storm drains and two from burning houses. A firefighter adopted one of the cats, and the others were reunited with their families or taken in by neighbors.

“These superhero firefighters had the technical training and huge hearts necessary to pull off four fearless back-to-back feline rescue missions,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes their good work will inspire people everywhere to come to the aid of animals in need.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—encourages all animal guardians to watch this fire-safety public service announcement and to put signs on their doors or windows alerting rescue workers to the presence of dogs, cats, and other animal companions in the home. Families can order stickers from the PETA Catalog or make their own.

The department rescued more than 60 animals between July 31 and August 29, and on July 18, team members also saved a week-old kitten who was trapped inside the walls of an Orlando home. The kitten, now named Salem, received around-the-clock care at the fire station and will soon be available for adoption.

Orange County Fire Rescue will receive a package of the fire-alert stickers to distribute to the public, a framed certificate, a box of vegan cookies, and a copy of The Engine 2 Diet, a Texas firefighter’s 28-day plan for staying in prime firefighting shape by eating vegan meals.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.