(Left) Skinny Minnie arrived at Pasadena Humane just days after the Eaton fire began. The neighborhood cat had survived but was suffering from severe burns and needed lifesaving care in our ICU. (Middle) At her Pasadena Humane farewell party on May 17, Skinny Minnie enjoyed a bag full of cat toys and the well wishes of dozens of staff who had cared for her during her recovery. (Right) Nearly four months later, Skinny Minnie is thriving as an indoor cat with her owners, Mark and Lisa. She loves to snuggle and nap in cozy spots. (Left and Middle photos courtesy of Pasadena Humane; Right photo courtesy of Mark Pastor)

Days after the Eaton fire broke out, a very special gray cat came into our care. You may remember Skinny Minnie, the courageous kitty who miraculously survived the fire in Altadena. Her story became a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.

Rescued by a good Samaritan amid the rubble of her former home, Skinny Minnie had suffered life-threatening burns and struggled to breathe due to smoke inhalation. Once in our care, the incredible veterinary team at Pasadena Humane provided her with the medical treatment she needed to survive.

A few weeks after the fire broke out, a photo of two-time Academy Award winner Adrien Brody cradling a badly burned cat in our ICU went viral. The photo ultimately reached former Altadena residents Mark Pastor and Lisa DeLange, who had lost everything in the fire.

With just minutes to evacuate, Mark and Lisa got their indoor cats to safety as the blaze burned around their home. But they could not find the petite neighborhood cat they affectionately called Skinny Minnie.

They continually checked our website but could not identify their missing neighborhood cat because many of the cats were so badly burned. So, when they saw the photo of a now healing gray cat in the actor’s arms, they rushed over to Pasadena Humane to confirm if she was theirs.

Upon seeing her caretakers, the small cat immediately perked up. She began to eat in her kennel, which she hadn’t wanted to do until then. Mark and Lisa told us her story and her name: Skinny Minnie.

Mark and Lisa visited Skinny Minnie almost daily over the next few months. They longed for the day when they would be settled enough to bring their sweet girl home and fully integrate her indoors.

At the end of May, the big day finally arrived. Surrounded by the Pasadena Humane staff members who had loved and cared for her all this time, Skinny Minnie was treated to a farewell party complete with a goodie bag full of her favorite toys. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as our favorite girl was gently placed into her new carrier.

During her five months at our shelter, Skinny Minnie touched the lives of countless staff, volunteers, and readers like you. Her story with us began in the most tragic of ways but ended with a heartwarming reunion with the people who love her deeply.

Now almost four months after her homecoming, we checked in with Mark and Lisa to see how Skinny Minnie has been settling into her new digs.

“She’s doing really well!” Mark shared with us. “It’s awesome to have her home and be so comfortably snuggled next to us! She seems to be real happy to have a home to stay in.”

The young cat has adapted well to her indoor life and even enjoys having two kitty siblings. She’s put on a few pounds and has a little belly now. She loves to play with toys.

Concerns about her being able to run, jump and climb due to injuries on her paw pads turned out to be unfounded. Not only is she doing all those things, but she’s also recently started up with the zoomies, which cracks the couple up every time.

Lisa and Mark are still in temporary accommodations, and they hope to find a more permanent home soon. As they continue to rebuild their lives, we think of them and Skinny Minnie in our daily thoughts.

A video telling Skinny Minnie’s story has been nominated for a 2025 People’s Choice Wagsies Award with a chance to win $20,000 for the animals. You can help by voting for her daily, now through Sept. 21.

Vote for Skinny Minnie’s story now at tinyurl.com/2p5u2w7b

Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on September 12, 2025.