One cat survived a bush fire that engulfed a boarding kennels in South Australia. His name is Merlin. He is severely injured.

On January 3 a bushfire destroyed the animal boarding kennels, Tea Tree Gully Boarding Kennels, at which there were dogs and cats.

Merlin Survived

About 40 dogs, and at the time it was believed that all the cats were killed by the fire. Apparently, the dogs and cats were let out of their kennels by the owner before the owner was forced to vacate his property.

The fire ripped through the boarding kennels and the owner’s home. The owners were able to rescue about 40 dogs as one kennel block survived the blaze.

Although it was believed that all the cats were killed in the fire, one cat survived and his name is Merlin. When he was found he was badly dehydrated, malnourished and burnt on his paws, belly and his face. He has fluid on his lungs due to smoke inhalation. He has been described as a magical cat.

He is being cared for at the Adelaide Specialist & Referral Center in Norwood. I also understand that the vet associated with the boarding kennels assisted at some stage in the process. It appears that all veterinary fees are being waived which is wonderful.

Merlin was found in a drain in Inglewood (I believe this is the same area). It appears that he had made his way out of the inferno that was the boarding cattery into a drain and escaped but it took him some time to find the exit which resulted in his severe injuries.

Hundreds of animals are believed to have been killed in the fires which burned, out-of-control in the Adelaide Hills. The fires burned over an area of about 31,000 acres in an area about 30 minutes drive south-east of Adelaide, Australia.

The reports in mainstream online media still state that all the cats at the Tea Tree Gully Boarding Cattery were killed but, as we now know, one survived; found later.

It is rather sad that when the owners of the boarding kennels used social media to share the news of what happened within a short space of time they had to close their sites because hateful comments were posted. They were heavily trolled. I suppose they were criticised for failing to ensure that their animals escaped.

Subsequently, once the facts were made known more fully it appears that many online commentators have come to their defense and supported them but it seems to me that we still do not know the full facts. There appears to be some criticism that they were let out of their cages but that would seem to be the common sense thing to do. It must have been terrifying and to criticize is obviously wrong.

It is sad, for me being a cat lover, that all the cats bar one died whereas a sizable percentage of the dogs survived but that appears to due to chance.

The veterinarians involved require a lot of praise and a big pat on the back because no doubt there will be a lot of veterinary care to bring Merlin back to reasonable health if, indeed, he’s ever able to retain his health in the long term.