Cat feared dead during wildfires comes running when she sees family again in heartwarming video

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By VT

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As you would have undoubtedly heard by now, the wildfires in California have had a significant impact on the environment and the lives of those who live in the at-risk areas.

These wildfires were the most destructive and deadly season on record in the state's history, with approximately 8,434 fires burning a combined area of 1,890,438 acres. This is the largest amount of burned acreage recorded in a fire season, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

paradise california wildfire
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

While those who survived with their loved ones unharmed are surely thankful for their well-being, there are many families who have still lost their homes - or, in some cases, their pets. When the fires swept through Paradise, California in November, many homes in the community were engulfed in flames - including that of Courtney Werblow and her family.

In the midst of this chaos, the family's beloved cat, Timber, ran away in fear before they had a chance to make sure she was safe. Unfortunately, they had to flee the perilous area, leaving her behind. Once they had made it out safely, the family suspected the worse, and didn't expect to ever see Timber again.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Kate Geyer / GoFundMe]]

Almost exactly a month since they were forced to leave their home behind, the Werblow family returned to the site to survey the damage to their house. It was then that they were surprised to find Timber, still alive, and she was beyond pleased to see them.

The video of the reunion was first posted to Facebook, where it was shared over 13,000 times, and then it made its way to YouTube:

[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsiEwOsEkY]]

It's incredible that Timber managed to survive at all, given the devastation the fire brought to the area. The video, which now has over 300,000 views, included a caption explaining the moment and how they first found their cat. Courtney, who made both posts, wrote:

"On December 8th, 2018, exactly one month after the Camp Fire swept through our entire community of Paradise, CA, we found hope! With no home left, Timber (our family cat) came running to us!"

"NEVER LOSE HOPE! My husband, two children and I lost our home in this fire as well as my entire small business. My parents also lost their home that they lived in. After so much loss, this is a testimony of endurance, strength, and love.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Kate Geyer / GoFundMe]]

"Timber is a very special cat to our family. After a tree fell on my parent’s rental home 7 years ago, we were forced to move out and into a rental of our own. (The new rental did not allow cats.) At the time her name was “kitty” and was renamed Timber – what you yell when a tree is falling – Timmmberrrrr! Get it? ;)

"From this point on, Timber lived with my parents back on the property she knew as home. She is an amazing family cat and we are so happy to have her back into our arms – especially for our 6 year old, Ellie."

The family still have no home to go back to, with a reported 95 per cent of their town badly damaged by the fires. In the meantime, they are looking for temporary accommodation - but you can help out by donating to their GoFundMe here, which is still yet to reach its target.

Cat feared dead during wildfires comes running when she sees family again in heartwarming video

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

As you would have undoubtedly heard by now, the wildfires in California have had a significant impact on the environment and the lives of those who live in the at-risk areas.

These wildfires were the most destructive and deadly season on record in the state's history, with approximately 8,434 fires burning a combined area of 1,890,438 acres. This is the largest amount of burned acreage recorded in a fire season, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

paradise california wildfire
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]]

While those who survived with their loved ones unharmed are surely thankful for their well-being, there are many families who have still lost their homes - or, in some cases, their pets. When the fires swept through Paradise, California in November, many homes in the community were engulfed in flames - including that of Courtney Werblow and her family.

In the midst of this chaos, the family's beloved cat, Timber, ran away in fear before they had a chance to make sure she was safe. Unfortunately, they had to flee the perilous area, leaving her behind. Once they had made it out safely, the family suspected the worse, and didn't expect to ever see Timber again.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Kate Geyer / GoFundMe]]

Almost exactly a month since they were forced to leave their home behind, the Werblow family returned to the site to survey the damage to their house. It was then that they were surprised to find Timber, still alive, and she was beyond pleased to see them.

The video of the reunion was first posted to Facebook, where it was shared over 13,000 times, and then it made its way to YouTube:

[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAsiEwOsEkY]]

It's incredible that Timber managed to survive at all, given the devastation the fire brought to the area. The video, which now has over 300,000 views, included a caption explaining the moment and how they first found their cat. Courtney, who made both posts, wrote:

"On December 8th, 2018, exactly one month after the Camp Fire swept through our entire community of Paradise, CA, we found hope! With no home left, Timber (our family cat) came running to us!"

"NEVER LOSE HOPE! My husband, two children and I lost our home in this fire as well as my entire small business. My parents also lost their home that they lived in. After so much loss, this is a testimony of endurance, strength, and love.

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Kate Geyer / GoFundMe]]

"Timber is a very special cat to our family. After a tree fell on my parent’s rental home 7 years ago, we were forced to move out and into a rental of our own. (The new rental did not allow cats.) At the time her name was “kitty” and was renamed Timber – what you yell when a tree is falling – Timmmberrrrr! Get it? ;)

"From this point on, Timber lived with my parents back on the property she knew as home. She is an amazing family cat and we are so happy to have her back into our arms – especially for our 6 year old, Ellie."

The family still have no home to go back to, with a reported 95 per cent of their town badly damaged by the fires. In the meantime, they are looking for temporary accommodation - but you can help out by donating to their GoFundMe here, which is still yet to reach its target.