Terrible Mudslide Victim Turns Up Alive After Three Years

• Patches was found near her home in Montecito where the mudslide occurred and claimed her human’s life.
• She was handed over to the Animal Shelter Assistance Program, which scanned her microchip.
• Patches was reunited with her mom’s partner last New Year’s Eve.

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On January 9, 2018, a mudslide occurred on the vast burned areas on the trail of the Thomas fire in California. It took the lives of twenty-three people, and impacted that of a pet cat named Patches. Her human, Josie Grower, was among those who perished.

The torrent was heavily laden with debris that it left lands and creeks blocked with trees and rocks. The mudslide’s force was also so strong that it rushed through the hills of Montecito, northwest of Los Angeles. Until now, two victims are still missing.

Known as the “1/9 Debris Flow,” a livestream ceremony was held just last week to remember the third anniversary of the devastation and in memorial of the 23 victims.

Who would have thought that after the ceremonies, a glimmer of hope would shine through?  This time, not with a sign of human life but a feline’s life.

A calico cat that was taken to the Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP) in Santa Barbara Country was scanned for a microchip and it turned out to be Patches!

Patches was found just a little more than 400 meters from where her Montecito home was located.

ASAP then informed the remaining relatives of Grower and in no time, Patches was reunited with her human’s partner and family friend Norm Borgatello during New Year’s Eve.

In a Facebook post, the shelter said, “Though we don’t know exactly what she’s been doing with her life for the past three years, we can see that both Patches and Norm are thrilled to be reunited.” 

Source: TODAY