Cat survives 3-story fall from burning Midtown building, nonprofit raising money for pet's surgery: 'A miracle cat'
Share and Follow

This kitty sure landed on his feet.

A ginger cat living in a Midtown supportive housing building fell three stories during an apartment fire last week – and miraculously survived.

Goldie the cat was seen on a windowsill, trying to escape the fire on West 43rd Street. A firefighter attempted to reach out to save him, but Goldie fell to the sidewalk below, as shown in a video of the incident.

The 6-year-old cat endured a broken hip, deep scrapes, and a split lip, using up at least one of his nine lives. Luckily, he did not suffer any broken bones during the fall.

The local nonprofit The Animal Project is raising the $1,500 for the cat’s medical bill for the owner in an online GoFundMe.

A Midtown local named Tiff Winton witnessed the event and felt empathy for the cat’s owner. Winton, who helps rescue animals in the area, including a bodega cat left in a closed deli for five weeks last summer, expressed sympathy for the situation.

“We were expecting way worse injuries,” said Diandra Coke, a vet tech at Brilliant Veterinary Care, where Goldie is being treated. “He’s kind of a miracle cat . . . it’s pretty rare to see so few injuries from a fall that high.”

Winton, who happened to be three blocks from the fire, received a video of the cat plummeting Sunday from a third-story unit at The Times Square, a converted grand hotel that now provides stable housing for the formerly homeless.

Upon seeing the footage, Winton said she “ran over there” to the scene where firefighters were still fighting flames.

The Midtown resident was escorted by a firefighter to Goldie’s owner, Elliott, who was “in shock completely” and “could barely speak,” Winton said.

“He just sort of reached his arms out to me and handed me the cat, and he was crying, and he was like, ‘Hey, I hope he’s okay.’”

The fundraiser for Goldie has amassed nearly $600, or 40% of its goal to date, which will go toward medical expenses like sedation, stitches, medication and ongoing care.

Any leftover funds will go towards living costs like cat food, litter, a collar and more, Winton said.

While Elliott was able to return to his apartment after the blaze, he has yet to be reunited with Goldie, who is in recovery at a clinic on the Upper West Side.

The owner doesn’t even have a cell phone to stay in contact with the vets patching up his four-legged friend, Winton added, but is grateful nonetheless for the nonprofit covering the costs of Goldie’s recovery.

The orange tabby cat is currently on crate rest for two weeks and is slated to stay in Hell’s Kitchen with Winton’s teen sidekick Kim Corrigan until Elliott can take him back in about a week. 

“[Goldie is] subject to infection, so we just want to make sure while he’s in this recovery period that if anyone goes wrong, we can treat it right it way,” said Kelly Mahoney of The Animal Project, “and make sure when we deliver Goldie back to his loving owner, who’s hit hard times, that he’s in 100 percent good condition.” 

“He’s had Goldie since he was a kitten. There’s so much love for the cat – he calls him his son,” Winton added.

“Even the night of the fire, when he handed him to us he was like, ‘Please, help my cat.’ It was so sad. It’s the right thing to reunite them when he’s better.” 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Australian prime minister announces national bravery honors after antisemitic terror attack

Australian PM Awards National Bravery Honors in Response to Antisemitic Terror Attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled plans on Thursday for a national…
Matt Gaetz stunned after being quizzed by Tucker about dating AOC

Matt Gaetz Taken Aback by Tucker Carlson’s Inquiry on Dating Rumor with AOC

In a surprising turn of events, former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz found…
US Nigeria strike: What to know about the ' Islamic State militants' targeted by President Donald Trump

U.S. Targets Islamic State Militants in Nigeria: Key Details on President Trump’s Recent Strike

ABUJA, Nigeria — Recent airstrikes by the United States targeting Islamic State…
Karoline Leavitt reveals she's pregnant with a baby girl

Karoline Leavitt Announces Expecting a Baby Girl

In a delightful announcement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed her…
Who performed with Snoop Dogg during the Netflix Christmas halftime show?

Snoop Dogg’s Christmas Halftime Show Surprise: Special Guest Performer Revealed

Snoop Dogg’s halftime show on Netflix turned out to be a dazzling…
Nigeria says it shared intelligence to support US strikes on ISIS

How Nigeria’s Intelligence Collaboration with the U.S. Targets ISIS: A Strategic Alliance Unveiled

Nigeria has confirmed sharing intelligence with the United States, which contributed to…
Times Square to feature patriotic ball drop for New Year's Eve, kicking off US's 250th birthday in NYC

Times Square to Host Patriotic Ball Drop for New Year’s Eve, Launching America’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations in NYC

NEW YORK — As New Year’s Eve descends upon New York City,…
Joe Rogan mocks President Trump ripping Biden and Obama in White House plaques

Joe Rogan Criticizes Trump for Comments on Biden and Obama in White House Plaques Discussion

In a recent podcast episode released on Thursday, Joe Rogan described the…