Scarlett
On Saturday, October 11, 2008 the world bid farewell to the beautiful and heroic Scarlett the cat. Scarlett did not only impact those who knew her, she touched the lives of countless people around the world.
On October 17th, at the “Crossroads of the World,” Times Square, NYC, Scarlett’s larger-than-life image illuminated the night on the world’s largest digital sign, the Reuters sign.
At 35 feet wide x 32.5 feet tall, viewers marveled and paid tribute to a cat who surpassed everyone’s imaginations and expectations.
The screen above Scarlett’s picture reads:
“Scarlett, the World-Famous Brave Mother Cat Who Survived a Fire and Saved Her Kittens, Passes Away”
November 18th, 2008 at 2:40 am
what a wonderful tribute, Scarlett was an inspiration to all
November 18th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Scarlett is very special to me, she was one of my ” sponsor” kitties, and was very special to me. i am very saddened to hear of her passing, she is such an inspiration for us all.
Thank you Scarlett, you are loved !!
November 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
A giant tribute to a giant, valiant soul. May her selfless courage continue to inspire us all to emulate her. Absolutely she is and will always be in our hearts and minds and souls. And we thank her.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I am so happy that Scarlett lived such a long and happy life. For anyone who loves cats knows that while they are small in stature, thier souls are large enough to embrace us for our entire lives. This heroine will never be forgotten, and she was truly an incredible inspiration.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:50 am
This small creature did more than a lot of “more intelligent’ creatures. What a huge soul and what an inspiration. I cannot help but tear up but it is obvious she was loved by many. I think the tribute is only out matched by her soul. A true inspiration to all in her valiant life. RIP, Scarlett…..run like the wind thru forever golden fields chasing forever butterflies. Your spirit will live on …..
November 20th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I can remember Scarlett’s story being on the news and I cried! Such a brave, loving mother to go back into the fire and carry her babies out! She is where there is no more pain. I like to think that maybe she’s sitting on an angel’s lap. She’ll be missed!
November 20th, 2008 at 10:44 am
May we not live in fear, Scarlett did not.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I’ve loved Scarlett since the day I saw her. I’ll never forget her! She was such an inspiration!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Scarlett was indeed a special cat. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know her, and see how much she was loved. This tribute was richly reserved.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Scarlett was a true,selfless,hero.She is at peace now and will hopefully see her precious kittens again one day.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I’m so sad. I became aware of the North Shore Animal League because of Scarlett’s story when it happened. I have been a regular supporter of NSAL since then. I wish all mothers could be as brave as she was. I will be posting a donation in her memory.
Goodbye, brave girl.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I am so saddend at Scarletts passing. She was the number one Mom! (That includes humans too). My condolnces to her human mom.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Scarlett’s story was unforgetable. I will never forget her bravery, heroism and unconditional love for her babies. How she managed to keep going back into the fire to retreive her babies is inspirational. Her little paws were very severly burned and she just kept on until all her babies were safe from harm. I loved her so much!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Scarlett was a most amazing and special soul. I am so glad that I bought the book, Scarlett Saves Her Family, by Jane Martin and J.C. Suares, which tell the incredible story of Scarlett’s bravery. When I saw the article in the NY Post about her passing, I cut it out and placed it inside the front cover of the book.
Sweet Beautiful Scarlett, you have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are now in Paradise.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
As a reading teacher, I have read Scarlett’s wonderful story of her bravery year after year with my students. We have all been touched by this very special cat. She will forever hold a place in my heart.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am
I remember when that happened and marvelling at the courage and love of that beautiful cat. I hadn’t heard anything for years, possibly because I live in Canada. I am so sad to hear of her dying, but happy that she was loved all this time. What an inspiration she was and is. So many humans can learn from her and so many need to. Rest and play now, baby. My dog has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and 3 cats who lived with family members are there too, to greet you.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
I was tuched by this story I just love how just one cat can chang poeple.But I was cin when I read that she had died but she’s in a better place now so she can run,play,and be happy.
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I am very saddened to learn of Scarlett’s passing. I did not know until today. I read her brave and inspiring story and have remembered her since. I hope that her surviving kittens are all living better lives because of her heroic act that day in 1996. She was very inspiring and will always have a special place in heaven.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I am so sorry to learn about Scarlett’s passing. Living in Canada, the info did not come here. As I scrolled down my newsletter, I came across the announcement. It seems like only yesterday that her heroic actions on behalf of her kittens made headlines worldwide.
One of the first things I inquired about when I joined your community was the story of Scarlett and if there was any recent info on her and was rewarded with an e-mail telling me about her and updating me on her life.
I remember feeling so happy that she had gone on to have a wonderful life with a loving family.
I’ll always think of her with love and hope she’s running around the Rainbow Bridge and free of pain.
She truly was one of a kind!
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Rest in peace, angel.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Scarlet, I was so deeply saddened to hear of your passing. You were such a brave and beautiful cat. I would ask you to do me a favor… I had to say goodbye to my beloved cat, Freebee this weekend. She was very old and got very sick at the end, and I know that she will be scared to be there without me. Please be her friend, and show her that everything will be ok until I join her. Tell her that I will see her at the rainbow bridge and we will go over it together. Blessed be, little one.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am
If only all mothers, of all species and walks of life would take the que of Scarlett. Rest in Peace little Angel. You will certainly have a place among the Angels.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
This dear, brave, mama is now in the arms of the angels. And they are loving her because she is a good cat. What a sweet soul passed through our lives. If we could but learn from her example, and put love first, we would all be better for it. May all who loved her, especially those who rescued her, cared for and healed her, played with her, and welcomed her into their homes, and hearts, always remember this extraordinary cat. What a lesson she gave us….
December 6th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I can’t begin to tell you the sadness I felt when I heard the news of Scarlett’s passing…tears began flowing as if one of my own precious felines had passed on. I remember this story so well when it first came out in 1996 and even have the book about her “Scarlett Saves Her Family: The Heart-Warming True Story of A Homeless Mother Cat Who Rescued Her Kittens From A Raging Fire” by Jane Martin and Jean-Claude Suares
I think humans could take as an example and learn more love, devotion and unconditional love as Scarlett demonstrated.
RIP…you were loved not only by Karen Wellen, but all of us worldwide.
December 26th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I’ll love you forever. Rest in peace you beautiful angel of God’s.
One day we’ll see each other across the Rainbow Bridge in Heaven…..
December 27th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I am so sorry about Scarlett passing away. I can’t stop crying. I believe God is Loving her and holding her. She will be in my heart forever. I live in Ontario, Canada and I just read about her. I hope all of us learn from her and I wish that every body was as caring and Loving as the ones who took care of her and Loved her. I hope she is playing with all of our little angels that passed away. My cats named Baby and Keeper will keep her Loved and comfort her. I have 16 rescue cats, 3 rabbits, 2 birds and a dog and they are all rescues and I will keep them all. We have goats and cows too and I treat them all like my babies…I wish all people would be kind and love animals as I do.. God Bless you Scarlett. I Love You always. Love Donna.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Scarlett—a true mother and heroine!!! Rest in peace, beautiful mommy. Rest in God’s and Jesus’ Loving Arms!!!
I also have that great book about Scarlett and her kittens—beautiful photos!
Please be kind to all creatures, for all species have souls.
February 17th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Scarlett was beautiful inside and out. Rest in peace. A one of a kind loving soul.
February 21st, 2009 at 3:59 am
thank you for paying tribute to a very remarkable cat–i’ve often thought about her over the years–the big picture in times square is a wonderful memorial to a great cat!
February 27th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I remember Scarlett’s story well. She was brave and a loving mother. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. God bless her and all the other animals who are left alone, abandoned and badly mistreated. Thank God for the folks at North Shore Animal League, and other no kill shelters.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I just read of Scarlett’s passing in the North Shore Animal League’s newsletter……I just started to cry as this cat showed the world what all us cat lovers already knew. I have the book that was written about her and have wondered through the years how she was doing. She and her owner(s) and her extended family at North Shore and the fireman who saved her are all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you Scarlett
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
There are very few heros in this world, but for me, Scarlett is one. It broke my heart to hear of her passing. My God bless you, Scarlett, you are in my prayers.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
The fireman that rescued Scarlett was also under God’s loving care because he was no where near the World Trade Center on this day 8 years ago. Fireman Gianelli, keep up the good work rescuing animals. I too have the book “Scarlett Saves Her Family”. Someone told me of a mother cat that was found dead in burnt a burnt out home, she was in what was lefy of the fireplace and under her dead body were her kittens, alive. At the same time wonderful, beautiful, heroic Scarlett saved her babies, that Susan Smith was drowning her two young sons. Now tell me who is the better, more intelligent mammel? Mark Twain once wrote, “If you cross man with a cat, it would diminish the cat and make man better.” God bless you Scarlett, there is another animal who welcomed you over the Rainbow Bridge, Ginny the dog who rescued cats, God has these two angels, one on each knee.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
God bless Fireman Gianelli who rescued Scarlett. God kept him safe 8 years aga today. At the same time Scarlett was rescuing her babies, Susan Smith was drowning her two young sons, now who is the higher mammel? Mark Twain once wrote, “If man were crossed with thr cat itb would diminish the cat and make man better.” Scarlett, I know who welcomed you over the Rainbow Bridge, Ginny, that wonderful dog who rescued cats. God has an angel sitting on each knee.
October 8th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Thank you, Susan for your kind words. On Sunday, October 11th, we will mark one year since Scarlett left us. We feel the pain as if it were yesterday. And I also wanted everyone to know that Dave Giannelli WAS at the Twin Towers on 9/11. He is a true hero!