Incredible Reunion: Cat reunited with owner after Palisades Fire in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — It appears the tall tale that all cats have nine lives may be true for a Maine coon from Southern California named Aggie.

After the Palisades Fire destroyed the family’s home, the beloved feline was thought to have perished for two months. Despite the devastation, Katherine Kiefer, 82, clung to a glimmer of hope.

A phone call from the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter over the weekend brought long-awaited relief to Kiefer. The heartwarming reunion between her and Aggie was captured and shared by her daughter Carolyn Kiefer in a touching TikTok video, which swiftly amassed over 1 million likes. The emotional moment shows tears rolling down Katherine Kiefer’s cheeks as Aggie cuddles up in her embrace.

“I was very much worried that I was going to wake up and (discover) it had been a dream,” she said.

Kiefer was at a medical appointment the day fire engulfed her neighborhood and her children couldn’t find Aggie – who was prone to hiding – when they tried to rescue her.

“The one thing my mom asked was: ‘Did you get Aggie?” Carolyn recalls.

Many pet owners struggled to reach their domesticated animals during the frantic rush to evacuate from the wildfire January.

Aggie, who is about 5 years old, was gifted to Katherine Kiefer by a friend during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media users have been so touched by the pair’s reunion video that many have been asking for daily updates. The family’s $30,000 GoFundMe campaign for Aggie’s vet bills had topped $21,000 by Tuesday afternoon.

The cat has undergone several blood transfusions and is now seeing a specialist.

“She was basically skin and bone, and in a state of absolute starvation,” Carolyn said.

The family will officially be reunited with Aggie when she is released from the hospital Thursday. Kiefer said she’s anxiously waiting, and she has a message for other pet owners: “Don’t underestimate cats,” she said.