MILLCREEK — Nearly 80 people are without a home after the fire destroyed two buildings at the Willow Glen Apartments on Friday. And now, a Salt Lake County nonprofit is dedicated to finding cats that went missing in the massive fire.
Dozens of people living at the Willow Glen apartments had mere seconds to grab their belongings and escape the flames. Many of them couldn't find their cats while firefighters were knocking on their doors.
"Especially shy or timid cats have a tendency to retreat and hide," Jessica Vigos, founder of Whiskers, a local nonprofit cat rescue, said.
Whiskers has stepped in to help find the missing cats.
"The cats, especially in these situations, tend to go out in about a two-block radius," Vigos said. "The hope is that they also will come back."
Vigos and her team of volunteers put out traps and water stations on and around the property.
"I have over a decade of trapping experience," Vigos said.
She believes they've seen some of the eight cats she's currently searching for.
"They're going to be out at night, more so when everything is quiet," she said. "So, we are on the property all hours of the night, you know, checking traps, rebaiting them."
Especially shy or timid cats have a tendency to retreat and hide.
–Jessica Vigos, Whiskers
Vigos encouraged people who live nearby to check in dark, enclosed spaces. She recommended they leave the capturing up to professionals. It will give these families the best shot at being reunited with their beloved pets.
"There's a lot of people that would like to help with the situation, but it's actually best, in this situation, to have as few people on the property as possible," she said.
If you have a missing cat or believe you've spotted one that is missing, you can reach out to Whiskers at 385-429-0185 or email info@whisersutah.org.
