Brave Mama Cat From Brooklyn Rushes Into Flames Five Times To Save Her Little Ones

Cats often amaze us with their courage, and Scarlett’s story is one of the most unforgettable. 

This brave mother cat entered a burning building not once, but five separate times to save her babies.

Scarlett and her kittens had been living in a garage in Brooklyn when a fire suddenly broke out. The New York City Fire Department quickly arrived, working tirelessly to fight the flames.

In the middle of all the smoke and chaos, firefighter David Giannelli noticed Scarlett’s incredible determination. 

With remarkable bravery, she ran back into the fire over and over, carrying out each of her five kittens one at a time.

Though she suffered painful burns and serious injuries, Scarlett refused to stop until every one of her kittens was safe.

It seemed nothing could stop this brave mama from protecting her offspring, proving just how powerful a mother’s love was, as Giannelli shared in an interview:

“Scarlett herself had been severely burned in the process of pulling her kittens from the fire. Her eyes were blistered shut, her ears and paws burned, and her coat highly singed. The majority of her facial hair had been burnt away.”

Scarlett’s eyes were so badly blistered that she couldn’t see her kittens, so she gently touched each of them with her nose to make sure they were all alive. 

Once she was certain her babies were safe, the brave mother finally collapsed, completely drained from her heroic fight. As he recounted Scarlett’s heroic deed, Giannelly added:

“After saving the kittens she was seen to touch each of her kittens with her nose to ensure they were all there and alive, as the blisters on her eyes kept her from being able to see them, and then she collapsed unconscious.”

Once the fire was under control, the kind firefighter made sure Scarlett and her kittens were taken to the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, NY, where they could receive the urgent medical care they needed.

Thankfully, they were treated right away and set on their path to recovery. Reflecting on Scarlett’s personality, Dr. Larry Cohen who treated her, shared:

“Scarlett had quite a characteristic look to her. I’m around animals all day long, and I am not a mush. I’m not one of these people who gets crazy over a particular animal and gets real mushy, but this cat had something about her… that was really special.”

Sadly, one of the kittens didn’t survive due to smoke inhalation, but the rest slowly recovered. They remained at the clinic for three months, receiving round-the-clock care until they were strong enough to be adopted.

Scarlett’s incredible bravery touched people everywhere. The clinic was flooded with nearly seven thousand letters from around the world, each from someone hoping to adopt the heroic mama and her little ones.

The staff worked carefully to keep the family as close as possible, placing them in pairs so they wouldn’t feel alone. In the end, three loving families welcomed them, and they remained in touch over the years.

Each Mother’s Day, Scarlett received sweet cards from her kittens, gentle reminders of the love and admiration they carried for their extraordinary mom.

Scarlett eventually found her forever home with Karen, a woman who deeply understood her pain after having gone through her own injuries. 

Karen knew she could give Scarlett the care, patience, and love needed for her recovery.

Together, they shared countless cherished moments in a warm and caring home. Scarlett thrived in that environment, living a long and happy life by Karen’s side until her journey came to a gentle close.

Though she is no longer here, Scarlett’s legacy lives on. Her story of courage and devotion inspired books, earned awards, and continues to remind the world of a mother’s unshakable love.

Scarlett’s incredible bravery moved the very clinic that saved her to create the Scarlett Award for Animal Heroism, honoring animals who display extraordinary courage. 

Her story was also captured in books such as Scarlett Saves Her Family and The Bravest Cat.

Through these tributes, Scarlett’s legacy lives on, reminding us of the extraordinary strength and love that only a mother can give.