Evacuated Family Grows After Taking on Abandoned Kittens

By Alicia Door

Isabella Stigen and her boyfriend were camping in Dru Barner Campground near Georgetown, Calif., when they received the notice to evacuate due to the Mosquito Fire. Thankfully, she says, they were in a box truck they had recently bought so they could safely bring their dog and new kitten with them for the trip.

Isabella says they were on their way out when they saw a litter of abandoned kittens. As the evacuation order loomed, they tried to help.

“There were three, and the other two just scattered. They seemed strong. But this one – it was almost like she picked me,” Isabella says.

“There wasn’t enough room for two trucks at our family’s home, so we are just happy we get to be here,” Isabella Stigen says.

Gypsy, as the new kitten is called, is safe with her new family as they wait for evacuation orders to be lifted. They are all staying in the box truck together in the parking lot of the American Red Cross shelter at Sierra Community College in Rocklin where they have access to regular meals, facilities and showers, a mobile laundry service, along with comfort and care from Red Cross volunteers.

“There wasn’t enough room for two trucks at our family’s home, so we are just happy we get to be here,” Isabella said.

Help those affected by wildfires and other disasters across the nation by making a financial donation, big or small, to the Red Cross. For more information on how you can donate call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/donate.