North Dakota Photographer Nabs PETA Award for Saving Kittens From Fire

Man Acts Quickly, Pulls Kittens to Safety, and Rushes Them to Veterinary Care

For Immediate Release:
November 2, 2016

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Action Award is on its way from PETA to photographer Carlos Pacheco, who was photographing a controlled fire in rural Grandin on October 15 when he heard meowing and spotted two tiny kittens—one inside the fire and the other nearby. Pacheco shielded himself from the extreme heat with his jacket, used a stick to pull the one kitten from the fire, and rushed both of them to a nearby shelter for veterinary care.

They are being treated for burns and smoke inhalation, respectively, and are expected to recover. Pacheco is adopting them.

“Carlos Pacheco’s quick action saved these kittens from a painful, terrifying death,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes his compassionate action will inspire others to help any living being in trouble.”

Every year, countless animals are abandoned to fend for themselves outdoors, where they may endure sweltering heat and bone-chilling cold, get hit by cars, or face other life-threatening dangers. Spaying and neutering helps combat the homeless-animal overpopulation crisis, and sterilized animals also live longer and happier lives, are less likely to develop cancer of the reproductive system, and, in the case of neutered males, are less likely to roam or fight.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—will send Pacheco a framed certificate and a box of delicious vegan cookies as well as a get-well kitty care package for his two new feline companions that contains a blanket, eco-friendly cat toys, and vegan cat treats. PETA has also offered to spay and neuter the kittens for free.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.