Unsinkable Cat Survives Hurricane, Reunites with Family

When Hurricane Helene blew through Burnsville, North Carolina last month, flooding forced evacuations as the Cane River swelled to 20 feet above normal. One family watched in horror as their beloved cat, Ricardo Blanco, was swept away in the waters.

When the Collins family returned to their property – eight days later – Blanco was there, worse for wear.  According to a news release from Best Friends Animal Society, the cat’s “discolored fur clearly showed the effects of the elements. And though he didn’t appear hurt, for sure he’d need to see a vet.”

But a lot of local infrastructure was destroyed in the flood, and veterinary clinics were shut down. Fortunately Best Friends is part of a network of animal rescues, two of which were operating a mobile clinic in the storm’s aftermath. The moving vets were busy: in three days they treated 156 animals from 99 families.

When the vets got to Blanco, the 1 1⁄2-year-old, 11-pound cat was mostly okay. “We were so lucky to be able to take him in,” says Nan Collins. “He has infection in both his eyes and ears, but other than that, he’s up to his old self.”

Blanco’s old self is described as more dog than cat. “He's doing fine, playing and doing all the normal stuff,” Collins says. “He's like a little movie actor, so full of life and playful. He's like a puppy dog and wants to be beside you and take a walk.”

A video of Blanco’s ordeal is chronicled here. Best Friends Animal Society are good people; donate here.

Photo credit: Best Friends Animal Society