When firefighters rescued a badly burned cat from West 琉璃神社鈥檚 McDougall Creek fire, they didn鈥檛 know if the feline would make it.

He was in such bad shape, with burns to his paws and up his legs, however, fire crews still brought the cat named Milo, to a local veterinary hospital for emergency care.

鈥淲ith some great donated veterinary care and nursing and a tremendous amount of love and attention, this little guy has pulled through. It is never an easy decision when pain and prognosis are uncertain, especially with burns. Milo had to fight to survive and that was recognized,鈥� said Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team volunteers who were called in to find Milo鈥檚 brother in the burned rubble.

Luckily, ALERT did find his brother Oreo who wasn鈥檛 badly injured and could be reunited with his owners.

But Milo would have a different outcome. He had to spend a lot of time in care, with his dressings changed daily. Then when he was finally well enough to be released and back to his family, they couldn鈥檛 take him.

Because of his injuries, he had to become an indoor kitty. The family鈥檚 allergies were just too severe to keep him indoors and so they had to make the difficult decision to surrender him.

So just when Milo had fought so hard to live, he faced a new challenge of not going home with his humans.

Yet, the most wonderful option presented itself.

Milo鈥檚 veterinarian fell in love with him and the family surrendered Milo to that vet.

鈥淭he goodness that this veterinary hospital showed for this cat is unmeasurable. You are such wonderful ambassadors for your profession,鈥� said ALERT.

ALERT rescued dozens of animals across the Okanagan and Similkameen during the 2023 wildfire season. The Penticton based organization is run by volunteers who work countless hours and often into the night. To learn more or to donate go to .