It doesn’t matter how many stories I write about the horror of wildfires raging across the country. Every single time my heart breaks at the loss of more than just irreplaceable items that hold special meaning to only us. And the loss of life both human and animal is absolutely devastating. But in the midst of the chaos, there seems to be one common theme that will keep me writing these tales. It’s the determination to survive, the willingness to help all souls in trouble and ideally the heartwarming reunions of survivors. That is what we’re lucky enough to share with you all now. Another reunion story of two souls that have found each other again after the destruction. Meet one of the luckiest felines from California, Aggie.
Aggie was missing for 2 months after the fire ravaged the land.
Aggie is a fluffy Maine Coon about 5 years old and was a special addition to the life of her owner, 82-year-old Katherine Kiefer. It was during COVID that a friend gifted the sweet feline to Katherine, likely a much needed companion in lockdown life. A mother of 5 adult kids, Katherine’s quite home was made lively again.
Life was good. And quarantine was eventually lifted. So going about her daily business, Katherine made a doctors appointment. But it was that morning while she attended to her health, that her entire world was turned upside down. The fires began. And she could not get back to her home to save anything. That included poor Aggie.
When the flames were eventually extinguished, her family scavenged through the remains of the fire consumed remains. It was ashes. But they did not find any sign of Aggie, good or bad. 
Then the phone rang.
The weekend of March 8-9th, 2025 changed everything. Katherine received a call from the Westside Animal Hospital. Aggie was in their care!
“I was very much worried that I was going to wake up and (discover) it had been a dream,” she told NBC Los Angeles.
But her dream had come true and she was about to be reunited with her furry family member. Her daughter Carolyn Kiefer filmed the reunion and uploaded the touching video to TikTok where it quickly went viral. For all the right reasons.
Aggie was not in the best shape but is happily under the watchful eyes of the staff and veterinarians. Her two mysterious months surviving in the ashes and rubble may haunt her forever. But she is clearly strong willed, letting her remaining cat lives be reserved for loving and peaceful moments with her mom.
Miraculously, Aggie was just found on our street. She was living in the ash and ruins, always staying close to home. She is skin and bone, has some signs of burns, has had one blood transfusion and is needing additional medical attention before she can come home.
GoFundMe for Aggie will help more than her recover.
With the overwhelming costs and losses associated everything in her life, Katherine’s family knew there was one place to turn to for help. So her daughter started a GoFundMe to cover the extensive vet bills that Aggie would require. But they proved that they are more than willing to spread the positivity and love. Because any funds that are raised that do not need to go to Aggie’s recovery, they will donate them to other local shelters. Spreading the love and good will.
Only 3 days after it was begun with a $20k goal, the GoFundMe raised more than $35,000!! That’s a lot of help that Aggie and other deserving animals will receive. Go Humans Go! 
Aggie will be able to come home to be with her family soon. Until then, Katherine is happy to keep up with her via video; shared by her daughter again, Carolyn. We love to see it.
All Photos/Video/Screenshots property of Carolyn Kiefer
