On Friday, the cat, Binks, who lived on the ninth floor of a South Florida apartment building that collapsed last month, was found safely and returned to his family, authorities said Friday.
Gina Nicole Vlasik, co-founder of The Kitty Campus, posted on Facebook that a black cat that looked like a Binx was found near the wreckage of the Surfside building Thursday night and was taken to the group’s nearby Miami Beach facility.
Vlasik said a former Champlain Towers South resident visited The Kitty Campus on Friday and confirmed the cats were his.
“We are so grateful that we are able to help in any way,” Vlasik wrote.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava said during a news conference Friday night that a volunteer who was feeding cats near the collapsed building recognized Binx.
“I am delighted that this little miracle can bring some light to the lives of a grieving family today and can provide a bright spot for our entire community in the midst of this terrible tragedy,” said Levin Cava.
The mayor said animal control workers continue to set up live traps in the area in the hope of recovering pets that may have survived the fatal collapse.
The 12-storey building collapsed in the early hours of the morning of June 24. The authorities confirmed the killing of 86 people, and the whereabouts of 43 are still unknown.
The couple were staying in front of the building when they took the photos, minutes before the building collapsed.
“Award-winning alcohol trailblazer. Hipster-friendly internetaholic. Twitter ninja. Infuriatingly humble beer lover. Pop culture nerd.”