‘Small miracle:’ Missing cat from Florida condo collapse reunited with family

• A missing cat named Binx was found in the collapsed condominium in Florida while workers were clearing out the rubble.
• Binx was reunited with its family.
• Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava hoped that the “small miracle could bring some light into the lives of a hurting family today, and provide a bright spot for our whole community in the midst of this terrible tragedy.”

It has been a very tough time for those affected by the collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Florida, but this little cat opted to “bring some light.”

On a Friday press conference, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said that a missing cat, named Binx, was found while workers were sorting through the rubble.

“After 16 long and extremely difficult days, I’m happy to be able to share a small piece of good news,” the mayor told reporters. “Binx, a cat living on the ninth floor of Champlain Towers South, was recently found near the site, and a few hours ago he was reunited with his family.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart and all of us, who are so happy to have played a role in returning Binx with his family,” she added. “I’m glad that this small miracle could bring some light into the lives of a hurting family today, and provide a bright spot for our whole community in the midst of this terrible tragedy.”

It was on Thursday night when the black cat was brought to Florida animal shelter, The Kitty Campus, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Gina Nicole Vlasek, co-founder of the organization, also shared about the feline’s reunion with its family.

“All we needed was a ray of hope in this tragedy… Today was one of the most amazing days,” she wrote. “One of the survivors came to see the cat and to determine if it was her [family’s] cat and IT WAS!”

“We are so grateful to be able to help in any small way,” Gina added. “These families lost so much but our south Florida [communities’ teamwork] was able to give them this. Thank you!”

Binx belongs to Edgar and Angela Gonzales. The two lived in one of the condominium units with their two daughters, Deven and Tayler, and dog Daisy.

Tayler was not in the building when it collapsed, while the rest of the family was. Angela and Deven were pulled from the rubble and were later hospitalized, while Edgar remains missing.

Officials have made extensive efforts not only to find the missing residents, but also pets.

“They were, at great risk to themselves, searching inside those units that had been indicated that might have pets and searching very thoroughly,” the mayor said. “Doorways were opened, other means for the pets to escape the building if they were able.”

Source: PEOPLE.com