Cat owners with many cats have a special obligation to ensure their cats are safe in the event of a house fire. As I write about cats for my website, I probably know more than most others about the devastating impact that house fires have upon domestic cats around the world. Most of what I read concerns America, the biggest domestic cat marketplace.
RELATED: 98% of cat owners would risk their lives to save their cat from a house fire
And frequently I would say I read stories of domestic cat often dying in house fires while the owner escapes. More devastation occurs in are those homes where there are many cats by which I mean 10 or more cats. There are many of these homes. There can be multiple cat deaths but almost invariably the owner escapes. Firefighters often save some cats using speical oxygen masks for pets.
Multi-cat ownership carries special responsibilities. There is a far bigger obligation to take proactive measures to prevent cat deaths and injury in the even of a house fire. House fires are rare but they do occur and perhaps more often in multi-cat homes as the owner may be a hoarder or borderline hoarder. Hoarders are prone to carelessness and carelessness increases the chance of a house fire.
Example
Today there is one such example from Canton, Ohio, of a house fire damaging a house of multiple-cat occupation. Fortunately no cat died because the owner called the fire service very promptly before the fire spread.
She owns 37 cats all of whom live in the house. The fire occurred in the kitchen and the owner thinks that one of the cat turned on a burner. That would be unlikely because it’s probably impossible for a cat to do that unless the device is faulty.
I’m not going to go down that route but there were 37 cats in the home and the firefighters had to give oxygen treatment for smoke inhalation to some of the cats.
The damage to the building was estimated to be $7500.
House fire proactive precautions
In the unfortunate event of a house fire, it’s essential to consider the safety of our feline companions. Here are some crucial tips to help prepare your cat for a house fire:
Include Your Cat in Your Fire Emergency Plan
Preparation for a fire is I believe important if you have multiple cats. It increases your responsibility. Develop an emergency plan for your household that includes everyone, including your pets. Ensure that everyone knows how to exit the house safely during a fire and where to meet afterward.
Assign someone to be responsible for the cats, knowing where the carriers are kept and how to get the cats into them. This would seem to be the most critical aspect of preparing for a home fire in which there are many cats. Another important apect: familiarize yourself with your cat’s regular hiding spots, as cats often hide when stressed.
Keep Your Cat’s Information Current
House fires can be chaotic, and there’s a risk that your cat might escape or get lost. In order to deal with this eventuality it is important to microchip your cat and register it with your current phone number and address. Also consider using a cat-safe collar with identification tags or your contact information printed on it.
Make Cat Carriers Easily Accessible
As every second counts during a fire evacuation it is sensitble to keep cat carriers in an easily accessible location, known to all family members and to train your cat to enter the carrier calmly so they view it as a safe space. This last aspect of cat caregiving is useful anyway.
Alert Rescuers to Your Cat’s Presence
- As firefighters will need to know if there are pets inside the house it would be sensible to think of ways to assist them in locating them and to effect this it may be useful to use special window clings designed to alert rescue personnel about the presence of family pets and where they usually are including their most common hiding places (sleeping places). You might place these alerts near doors and windows that firefighters might use to enter your home.
Remember that cats are skilled at hiding, so they may seek refuge in safe places like under beds, in cupboards, or closets during a fire. Firefighters will do their best to rescue them once they’re aware of their presence. Stay vigilant and prioritize your cat’s safety during emergencies! 🐾🔥
Two house fires where cats were killed
Norfolk, Virginia: On April 10, 2024, Norfolk fire crews responded to a fire that left residents displaced and resulted in the unfortunate death of a cat.
Hurricane, Utah: A house fire occurred just after 10:30 p.m. on April 8, 2024, in Hurricane. The fire caused part of the roof to collapse, and tragically, a cat inside the home lost its life. Additionally, there was some damage to a neighboring structure.
