A Tale of Resilience and Reunion After the Palisades Wildfire

Aggie, a Maine Coon cat from California, was feared dead after the Palisades wildfire destroyed her family's home. Her owner, 82-year-old Katherine Kiefer, held out hope for her beloved feline's return.

Two months later, Kiefer received a call from the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter. Her daughter, Carolyn Kiefer, shared their emotional reunion on TikTok, where it quickly garnered over a million likes. The video shows Katherine Kiefer's tears of joy as Aggie snuggled into her arms.

"I was very much worried that I was going to wake up and (discover) it had been a dream," Katherine Kiefer said.

Aggie had been missing since the fire, when Katherine Kiefer was at a medical appointment and her children couldn't find her. Many pet owners faced similar challenges during the frantic evacuation.

Aggie, who is about 5 years old, was a gift to Katherine Kiefer from a friend during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media users have been touched by the reunion video and have been requesting daily updates. The family's GoFundMe campaign for Aggie's vet bills has raised over $21,000.

Aggie has undergone several blood transfusions and is now seeing a specialist. "She was basically skin and bone, and in a state of absolute starvation," Carolyn Kiefer said.

"Don't underestimate cats.