A cat rescued from a Bay Ridge, Brooklyn apartment fire that claimed the life of her owner was rehabilitated at Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group North Emergency Services and is being taken in permanently by a neighbor. (Credit: Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group)
By Lauren Cook
A resilient cat rescued from a fire in Brooklyn last weekend that claimed the life of her owner is on the road to recovery and has already found a new forever home, thanks to the kindness of neighbors.When Brigitte Jones, an adult gray and black tabby, arrived at Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group North Emergency Services in Cobble Hill around 2 a.m. on Sunday, she was fighting for her life.Brigitte had an elevated breathing rate and abnormal audible respiration from apparent smoke inhalation, according to VERG’s veterinary team. The vets gave her oxygen and a medication to open her airways, but Brigitte’s fight was not yet over. An X-ray showed the beginning stages of infection, VERG said, and she’s being treated for that with antibiotics.Brigitte is lucky to be alive, said Dr. Jillian DiFazio, a board-certified emergency and critical care specialist at VERG.
Brigitte’s terrifying ordeal began late Saturday when fire broke out in her owner’s third-floor apartment on 94th Street, near Shore Road, in Bay Ridge, just before 11:30 p.m., according to VERG and police.
Brigitte’s owner was found dead inside after firefighters extinguished the blaze, police said. The woman, who has not yet been identified by police, was pronounced dead at the scene, the NYPD said.
Firefighters from Ladder 109 pulled Brigitte out of the apartment to safety, the FDNY said. She was handed off to firefighters from Engine 241 for emergency care.
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