July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day, a day to raise awareness on how to prevent and protect people and pets from fires at home. Emergencies can strike anyone at any time, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for as many steps of the way as you can. Learn more about what you can do by checking out these resources from ASPCA, Catster, and Daily Paws!
When danger struck Cat Town alum Tempo and his family, Tempo became a hero — and thanks to his fast-acting senses, his adopters’ attentiveness, and their emergency preparation, everyone in their building got out safe as well! Tempo’s adopters recount:
“My partner and I adopted Tempo from Cat Town in the summer of 2021, and have been overjoyed at the love he has brought to our home. I knew we wanted a cat to cuddle with at the end of a long day, but what I didn't realize was how playful and curious he would be! I didn't know how much I also needed his playful spirit in my life. It has made me a happier and more active person.
“Not only is Tempo a wonderful addition to the family, he is also a hero! A fire broke out in our apartment building last year. Tempo sniffed out and alerted us to the smoke before the fire alarms even went off — we heard him scratching at the floorboards right above where the fire started. Luckily no one was hurt, and the fire did not enter anyone's apartments. The firefighters came and told us that we were lucky to have caught the fire so early before any serious damage happened. We definitely have Tempo to thank for keeping us and many others safe!
“I also want to thank everyone at Cat Town for all the work done for the cats in their care. I am especially grateful for the advice given to adopters. At the advice of the Cat Town staff, we left our cat carrier out in the apartment living space so Tempo would be comfortable going in it when we needed to take him somewhere. Easily getting him out of the house to safety was a huge relief in a very scary moment. We made sure to reward him with treats for his courageous efforts once it was safe to enter the building again!”
We may not all have a built-in feline fire alarm on our hands, but with a little advance planning, we can all be prepared to keep our pets (and ourselves!) safe during an emergency — just like Tempo’s adopters did by making sure he was comfortable with his carrier. Carrier training takes time, so get started today with this video from International Cat Care!
Tempo’s story is also a reminder that while we often talk about how we can save cats, that’s just one half to the story — because cats can save us, just as much as we can save them! Maybe they aren’t saving us from actual fires, but that doesn’t mean the impact they have on our lives is any less special. That’s what makes every cat and every adoption unique, and why we believe in taking chances on overlooked cats. Thank you for believing with us, and making each of these stories possible.
Photography by David Yeung