Buzz
While dogs have certainly triumphed in the battle for pet popularity, earning the title of man’s best friend, cats are often seen as more independent, aloof creatures who occasionally let a human pet them. Despite their seemingly distant nature, humans tolerate cats enough to let them use a litter box in their homes. Yet, there are times when a cat repays its owner with a powerful display of affection, and sometimes, that affection is nothing short of heroic.
Here are ten cats that have gone above and beyond to save lives.
10. Keeping a Baby Warm
In Russia, a baby less than 12 weeks old was abandoned by its parents in harsh, freezing conditions. The baby’s survival seemed highly unlikely, but a local cat named Masha stepped in to save the child. By curling up next to the infant and providing warmth, Masha kept the baby alive through the cold night.
A common concern for many is the fear of having a baby and a cat in the same home, with some worried that a cat might find the baby’s face an ideal resting spot. However, in Masha’s case, it was by climbing on top of the child that she ended up saving the baby. Perhaps the box in which the baby was placed made the situation even more irresistible for the cat.
Masha’s body heat kept the child alive, and her loud meowing attracted the attention of a nearby neighbor. The baby was rushed to the hospital for care, while a search for the parents was launched. Masha, the heroic cat, received generous amounts of treats and affection from the admiring neighbors in the apartment block.
9. The Cancer Detector
For years, dogs have been trained to detect things that humans cannot, including the ability to identify diseases such as Parkinson’s, Malaria, and Cancer through their keen sense of smell. While training cats for such purposes is more difficult, sometimes cats demonstrate this remarkable skill on their own.
Sue McKenzie had spent two decades living with her cat, Tom, who rarely showed affection. One day, however, Tom began persistently batting at the back of her neck and meowing loudly. Concerned that her elderly cat might be sick, she took him to the vet. When the vet found no issues with Tom, it was suggested that perhaps Sue herself needed medical attention.
A scan revealed a cancerous tumor. The doctors successfully treated Sue, but they gave her a stern reminder to always trust her cat’s instincts. Sue could never have predicted that Tom, a young stray she had welcomed into her home, would end up saving her life.
8. The Diabetes Sensing Hero
Adopting a rescue animal can be one of the most rewarding things you do. Not only do you give an animal a second chance at life, but the bond you share can significantly improve your physical and emotional well-being. For Hazel Parkyn, her rescue cat, Walter, has saved her life more than 50 times.
Hazel lives with diabetes, and at times her blood sugar levels drop dangerously low while she sleeps. When this happens, Walter somehow detects it—perhaps by sensing chemical changes—and smacks her in the face to wake her up. This allows Hazel to address her low blood sugar before it becomes life-threatening.
Ironically, Hazel had originally adopted a dog with the hope of training it to alert her when she was in danger. However, the dog failed to perform this task, while Walter faithfully sits by Hazel’s bed at night, always ready to react when needed.
7. The Seizure Alert Cat
Cats are not typically known for their gentle approach to healthcare. If a person is about to experience a seizure, it’s not common for a doctor to bite them. However, that’s exactly the method Blake uses to alert his owner.
Glen Schallman suffers from several conditions that make him prone to sudden and potentially fatal seizures. While he could sometimes detect the early signs during sleep, the seizures could still be deadly. When Glen adopted Blake, he soon discovered that the young cat had an uncanny ability to warn him in advance—by biting his toes.
Glen is now the oldest person on record with his combination of illnesses, a feat that is partially thanks to the watchful care of his feline companion. Blake wasn’t trained to be a protector but has naturally become a dedicated guardian, ensuring Glen’s safety as he sleeps.
6. The Dog Fighter
While dogs are often hailed as man's best friend, there are times when they can pose a threat to humans. A dog bite, especially to a child, can be severe and potentially dangerous. This was the case when Jeremy, a four-year-old boy with autism, was attacked by a dog.
Jeremy was riding his bike outside his home when Scrappy, a dog from a neighbor’s house, grabbed his leg and shook him aggressively. In that moment, Jeremy’s family cat, Tara, sprang into action. She leapt at the dog, causing it to flee back to its own home. Jeremy needed seven stitches, but his injuries could have been far worse.
Tara had once been a stray cat that followed the family home from the park. After her courageous act against the dog, she became a local hero, receiving numerous awards. She even had the honor of throwing the opening pitch at a baseball game, and June 3rd was officially declared “Tara the Hero Cat Day.”
5. The Fire Alert Cat
When a fire broke out in the middle of the night, it wasn’t the sound of a fire alarm that woke the family. Instead, it was their cat, Bandit. Bandit rushed into the owner’s bedroom and scratched her face to rouse her. While most people might be annoyed by a cat scratch, the family was grateful, as it allowed them to call the fire department in time, saving both their home and their lives.
The family had many pets, including three dogs, four cats, four kittens, along with hamsters and gerbils. Despite the large number of animals, only Bandit played a key role in the rescue, while the other pets were not as instrumental. In the end, all the humans and animals were saved.
Had it not been for Bandit waking them, the thick smoke filling the house could have suffocated everyone inside. The fire brigade praised Bandit’s brave actions, but also advised that people should invest in fire alarms rather than solely relying on their pets for safety.
4. The 911 Calling Cat
In rare cases, a cat can literally make a call for help. When Gary Rosheisen fell from his wheelchair at home, he was unable to reach the phone to call for assistance. Despite this, the police showed up to help him, leaving everyone puzzled about how they knew to come.
The police had received a 911 call, but when they picked up, there was no response. After trying to call the number back without success, they decided to visit the address to ensure everything was okay. Upon arrival, they found Tommy the cat sitting next to the phone.
Tommy’s owner had once attempted to teach him how to call 911 in an emergency, though he doubted the cat had really grasped it. Fortunately for everyone involved, Tommy had speed-dial set up on the phone, thanks to his owner’s health issues. With just a single button, Tommy saved the day.
3. Rescuing a Baby
A cat named Gatubela seemed destined for heroism, living up to the meaning of her name, which translates to Catwoman. When baby Samuel crawled dangerously close to a set of steep stairs, Gatubela sprang into action to protect him. She immediately intervened, attempting to pull the baby away from the edge.
A video of the rescue shows Gatubela rushing towards Samuel and grabbing him by the back to pull him away. When that didn’t work, she leapt in front of him and used her paws to push him backwards, startling him into sitting down. Afterward, she appeared to relax, assured that he was safe.
True to her feline nature, Gatubela couldn’t resist giving Samuel a little swat after ensuring he was safe. This playful moment, though part of the video, was removed in most versions posted online, as giving the child a playful bat after saving him may not be the best look.
2. Crimean Tom
In the 1850s, during the Crimean War, Russia found itself fighting against an alliance made up of the British Empire, France, and the Ottoman Empire. As Russian forces defended the city of Sevastopol, they were besieged for almost an entire year. When the allied troops finally took control of the city, they discovered that supplies were almost entirely depleted. That’s when a stray cat named Tom came into the picture.
Lieutenant William Gair was assigned the task of searching the city for any remaining food. While he was investigating cellars, he happened upon Tom, a cat who looked oddly well-fed for a feline that had survived a year-long siege. Gair concluded that Tom must know where to find food, and surely there were mice nearby. Following the cat’s lead, the British troops were able to locate abundant supplies on multiple occasions, helping them avoid starvation.
In recognition of Tom’s remarkable contribution to the soldiers’ survival, Lieutenant Gair decided to bring the cat back to Britain. Sadly, Tom didn’t live long afterward, but Gair had him preserved and displayed in honor of his bravery. It remains uncertain whether the taxidermied cat in the Imperial War Museum is truly Crimean Tom, but his heroic story has certainly endured.
1. A Good Heart
Claire Nelson took a leap of faith when she decided to adopt an older cat named Rusty. Many potential owners had overlooked him in favor of younger, cuter kittens. However, Rusty would soon prove to be invaluable to Claire.
One day, when Claire started feeling unwell, Rusty began to act in a way that was completely out of character. Known for his calm demeanor, Rusty grew restless and refused to leave her side. As Claire tried to lie down, the cat jumped onto her chest and wouldn’t let her sleep. Despite feeling off, Claire tried to rest, but after a while, she realized things were getting worse. She called 911 while waiting for the bus.
At the hospital, doctors discovered that Claire had suffered a heart attack and needed immediate surgery. Without Rusty’s insistence and unusual behavior, Claire might have simply gone to bed and never woken up.
