Surviving Pets Trapped in Burned-Out Building

Emotions are high as former Windermere Apartments residents fight to locate their missing animals.

Back in January, 90 apartment units caught fire, causing many residents to leave behind their personal belongs -- including their beloved pets. Now tenants are facing another problem -- the demolition of the burned building, with many animals still left inside.

“My biggest frustration is that we know that there are still pets in there alive,” former Windermere resident Lara Figueroa tells WestPhillyLocal.com

Firefighters searched the building and found multiple cats the day after the fire, but have yet to continue looking for missing pets.

Since then, three cats have been found alive and well despite firefighters' protests that no animal could survive more than a week in the building.

The third cat, Annie, was only found this morning-- a month and a day after the fire occurred, proving these brave animals will survive anything to be reunited with their owners.

Frantic residents took to the Internet and asked others for help delaying the demolition, but their efforts have failed. A mayor's office spokesman spoke to WestPhillyLocal.com and announced today that the demolition will begin on Monday.

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City Kitties, a West Philly nonprofit organization aimed at rescuing stray cats in West Philly, has given former residents a place to express their feelings in the form of a Facebook page

"I can't tell you how happy this has made us. We can't believe how fortunate we've been, and we hope that the city and the building owners will do the right thing so that other cats can be reunited with their families!", writes Maureen Callahan, Annie's owner.

Other supporters have shown both outrage and sadness at the lack of effort made in finding those missing furry family members.

"This brought tears to my eyes. I've been thinking about Annie and the other missing cats since this all started. It's infuriating that someone wouldn't set traps sooner. You guys are amazing! Thank you for your tenacity!" wrote Nicole Celli under the link of Annie's amazing story

For now, residents will try and do as much as they can by holding a peaceful protest in front of West Philly High School Saturday at 2 p.m., begging officials to postpone the demolition so they can save their feline friends.

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