R.I.P.: Scarlett, the momma cat who was severely burned saving her kittens.
10/16/2008 05:25 PM Kim Matas
Scarlett, the calico cat, made international headlines in 1996 when she repeatedly ran into a burning building to rescue her five kittens.
Photo from www.twotuttlesfourpaws.com
Scarlett and her adoptive mom, Karen Wellen.
NEWYORK — Scarlett, the calico cat who made international headlines in 1996 when she repeatedly ran into a burning building to rescue her five kittens, has died.
For the last 12 years she’s lived with an adoptive family in Brooklyn. She died of multiple illnesses. She required ongoing care as a result of her injuries, and recently was diagnosed with a heart murmur.
In 1996, Scarlett and her kittens were living in an abandoned Brooklyn garage when a fire broke out. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters found the momma cat carrying her four-week-old kittens, one by one, from the building.
Photo from www.twotuttlesfourpaws.com
Scarlett the cat recuperating at North Shore Animal League afte being treated for her severe burns.
Badly scorched, her ears radically burned, she lined up her babies. With her eyes blistered from the inferno, she was seen touching each with her nose, to reassure herself that her litter of five had made it to safety. She then collapsed unconscious.
Firefighter David Giannelli transported the little feline family to North Shore Animal League America where the mother, who was named Scarlett, and her kittens, were treated. The weakest of the kittens died of a virus one month after the blaze. However, after three months of treatment and recovery, Scarlett and her surviving kittens were adopted.
Photo from www.twotuttlesfourpaws.com
Scarlett’s rescuer, firefighter David Giannelli, holding one of her kittens. Four of the five kittens survived.
The international media attention prompted more than 7,000 inquiries to North Shore Animal League about adopting Scarlett and her brood.
The kittens were adopted in pairs, and Scarlett was adopted to Karen Wellen, who had been injured in an accident and whose own cat had died. Wellen’s struck a chord at the Animal League. Wellen said her experience made her a more compassionate individual, and, if ever she was to adopt another cat, she wanted to devote herself to one with special needs.
Photo from www.twotuttlesfourpaws.com
Scarlett was still determined to care for her kittens even while she was being treated for her own severe burns.
Once in Wellen’s care, Scarlett continued to generate media attention, capturing the attention of regional, national and international outlets as far away as Japan, and including CNN and Oprah Winfrey.
She was the subject of numerous books and articles and appeared in the first aired segment of Animal Planet. She was honored by Great Britain’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Living in Wellen’s Brooklyn home, Scarlett was a cherished family member, given run of the house and abundant love.
“She was the most precious and loving cat, and in our household, it was all about Scarlett,” said Wellen.
Photo from www.twotuttlesfourpaws.com
Scarlett and her adoptive mom, Karen Wellen.
I am so terribly sad to read of Scarlett’s passing. I was looking through a book I have about her, this morning, and looked up information, hoping to discover that she was alive and well.
It was terribly sad to know that she has just left us in these last few days. I know she had an extraordinary life, but we love them so and they can never stay with us long enough.
Tears for Scarlett from someone who felt she knew her. She is an irrefutable example that animals have souls and hearts of great worth which are their voices. I pray every day that all will hear and cruelty, abuse, abandonment and neglect will stop.
This is what God intended for motherhood to be. It’s so sad that so many human mothers just don’t get it. God has Scarlett now. I have no doubt He has told her “well done my good and faithful servant.”
It is so hard to read this through my tears. I only hope that many, many people learn about Scarlett’s loyalty, sacrifice, and determination. All too often cats—in particular stray and feral cats are overlooked. I hope that folks will remember Scarlett and participate in Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs, as well as fighting harder for “No Kill” shelters. Scarlett was a model mother and caregiver. She sets a standard of care for all. Blessings that she lived a long life in her adopted home. While this was the first I ever heard of Scarlett, I will NEVER, NEVER forget her now.
Scarlett was an inspiration to all of us who realize that the depth of love that exists in animals is often beyond understanding. Why? Because it often exceeds human love. We fail to grasp the simplicity & beauty of such love & find it humbling when taught by an animal. Scarlett taught us all, & we are better for having had her in our lives. I always thought that example was the best teacher. Scarlett gave us something mighty to learn.
Blessings to her in her new, painfree life & thanks to her adoptative Mom!
-eileen storrs ruth
I remember I was just a kid when this happened and I’ve never forgotten about beautiful Scarlett and her beautiful kittens.
I saw a book at the library today and checked out, and I looked up information to see how Scarlett and her kittens where doing today.
I was so sad to read that Scarlett had passed away just a month or almost a couple months ago, she was a true hero.
I haven’t been able to stop crying, she has a special place in my heart and her kittens too.
I’m a huge animal lover, and I wish I could have meet Scarlett; she is a hero and a beautiful cat.
I hope Scarlett’s adoptive mom Karen and family are doing well, thank you for giving her a great life and taking care of her, from one animal lover to another.
Does anyone know how her babies now grown cats are doing today? I hope they are doing well.
Did Scarlett get to see her babies after the got adopted?
I hope one day their will be a new book on Scarlett and her kittens.
God Bless Scarlett, we love you and miss you. I know you with God now, and there is a special place in Heaven for you, you are a true hero. You are now watching out for all the animals from above.
You where such a beautiful cat, and now you’re a beautiful cat in Heaven. I know you are friends with my animals that are now in Heaven.
Scarlett was a brave cat. She was a great mother – she was heroic to go into the burning garage for her baby kittens. We are reading a story about her in school. I am six.
Last Writes is the sometimes serious, sometimes irreverent extension of reporter Kimberly Matas' Life Stories series, which chronicles the lives of recently deceased Tucsonans.
About Kim Matas
Kim has been getting paid to write since she was 16 and a freelance high school correspondent for the Phoenix Gazette. More than 25 years later, she's still at it. No one knows why.
Email: kmatas@azstarnet.com
I am so terribly sad to read of Scarlett’s passing. I was looking through a book I have about her, this morning, and looked up information, hoping to discover that she was alive and well.
It was terribly sad to know that she has just left us in these last few days. I know she had an extraordinary life, but we love them so and they can never stay with us long enough.
Tears for Scarlett from someone who felt she knew her. She is an irrefutable example that animals have souls and hearts of great worth which are their voices. I pray every day that all will hear and cruelty, abuse, abandonment and neglect will stop.
Every animal wanted: my hope and dream.
— Debra Wells 10/22/2008 08:11 AM #
This is what God intended for motherhood to be. It’s so sad that so many human mothers just don’t get it. God has Scarlett now. I have no doubt He has told her “well done my good and faithful servant.”
— Beverly 10/25/2008 02:15 AM #
It is so hard to read this through my tears. I only hope that many, many people learn about Scarlett’s loyalty, sacrifice, and determination. All too often cats—in particular stray and feral cats are overlooked. I hope that folks will remember Scarlett and participate in Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs, as well as fighting harder for “No Kill” shelters. Scarlett was a model mother and caregiver. She sets a standard of care for all. Blessings that she lived a long life in her adopted home. While this was the first I ever heard of Scarlett, I will NEVER, NEVER forget her now.
Prayers and blessings,
— nancy west 11/04/2008 05:32 PM #
Scarlett was an inspiration to all of us who realize that the depth of love that exists in animals is often beyond understanding. Why? Because it often exceeds human love. We fail to grasp the simplicity & beauty of such love & find it humbling when taught by an animal. Scarlett taught us all, & we are better for having had her in our lives. I always thought that example was the best teacher. Scarlett gave us something mighty to learn.
Blessings to her in her new, painfree life & thanks to her adoptative Mom!
-eileen storrs ruth
— Eileen Ruth 11/09/2008 05:47 AM #
I remember I was just a kid when this happened and I’ve never forgotten about beautiful Scarlett and her beautiful kittens.
I saw a book at the library today and checked out, and I looked up information to see how Scarlett and her kittens where doing today.
I was so sad to read that Scarlett had passed away just a month or almost a couple months ago, she was a true hero.
I haven’t been able to stop crying, she has a special place in my heart and her kittens too.
I’m a huge animal lover, and I wish I could have meet Scarlett; she is a hero and a beautiful cat.
I hope Scarlett’s adoptive mom Karen and family are doing well, thank you for giving her a great life and taking care of her, from one animal lover to another.
Does anyone know how her babies now grown cats are doing today? I hope they are doing well.
Did Scarlett get to see her babies after the got adopted?
I hope one day their will be a new book on Scarlett and her kittens.
God Bless Scarlett, we love you and miss you. I know you with God now, and there is a special place in Heaven for you, you are a true hero. You are now watching out for all the animals from above.
You where such a beautiful cat, and now you’re a beautiful cat in Heaven. I know you are friends with my animals that are now in Heaven.
God Bless and R.I.P. Scarlett.
— Shawna 12/03/2008 12:33 AM #
Scarlett was a brave cat. She was a great mother – she was heroic to go into the burning garage for her baby kittens. We are reading a story about her in school. I am six.
— Erin O'Neill 03/26/2009 05:55 PM #