A black cat found injured behind a wildfire line in British Columbia has returned home to the family who had been searching for him.
The BC SPCA said a rescuer found the cat alone among smoke and flames. His paw pads were badly burned, he was dehydrated and he had an ear mite infestation. A veterinary team treated him with pain relief, fluids, wound care and regular bandage changes before he moved into a foster home.
His foster carers called him Whisky, after his singed whiskers.
As he recovered, the cat’s litter training and friendly nature made staff suspect that someone was missing him. The BC SPCA shared his photograph on social media, where it eventually reached a family displaced by the fires. They recognised Whisky as their cat Salem.
After photographs and details confirmed the match, Salem went home two weeks after his rescue. The organisation says he had made good progress in care and was showing a particularly strong interest in following his foster carer’s partner around the house.
Source: the BC SPCA’s report, published 10 September 2026; checked 24 September 2026.