Cat Lost in Florida’s Alligator Alley is Found!

Sammy went missing when his family had an auto accident while traveling along Alligator Alley in Florida earlier this week. Posts at Craigslist and Facebook alerted people to his plight in the dangerous area on the Everglades Parkway and he was found near the scene of the crash.

Sammy with his little human sibling Parker

Nikki Saltzburg and her family were traveling in their minivan along Alligator Alley as they completed the drive while making a move from California to Miami. They were involved in an accident with an SUV, that left Nikki and her partner injured, and baby Parker, thankfully, fine. Nikki’s wheelchair was destroyed as a result of the crash.  The family’s 11 year old grey cat Sammy’s crate broke open in the crash and he panicked and ran into the bushes.

With Nikki and her partner injured and unable to help in the search, a family friend in Naples posted at Craigslist and on Facebook about the missing cat.

Here is the Craigslist ad:

  LOST CAT DUE TO CAR ACCIDENT (NAPLES)
Date: 2012-07-18, 12:46AM EDT
I am asking for help from anyone who lives in the Naples/Golden Gate area. One of my best friends daughter was in a 3 car crash last night near mile marker 95/97 of interstate 75 in Florida. The passengers were injured and were at NCH hospital last night (with broken pelvis and very bad lacerations) and are being transported back to Miami tonight. The family cat, however, was in a cat crate and the crate split open on impact and the family furchild is now missing.

Anyone who goes over Alligator Alley towards Miami please look around mile markers 95/97 for this precious kitty! Thank you ♥

Kathie Santomero posted the following on Facebook, which was reposted by Camille’s Rescue Page and Feline Fellowship Forum. I saw the post at Feline Fellowship Forum while Sammy was still lost.
LOST CAT DUE TO CAR ACCIDENT (NAPLES)

I am asking for help from anyone who lives in the Naples/Golden Gate area. One of my best friends daughter was in a 3 car crash last night near mile marker 95/97 of interstate I75 {Alligator Alley} in Florida.

The passengers were injured and were at NCH hospital last night (with broken pelvis and very bad lacerations) and are being transported back to Miami tonight. The family cat, however, was in a cat crate and the crate split open on impact and the family furchild is now missing.

Sammy is a neutered male, no collar and 13 years old. He is tattooed with the image of a mouse next to an ID#, not chipped.Anyone who goes over Alligator Alley towards Miami please look around mile markers 95/97 for this precious kitty! Thank you ♥

We are also trying to form a search party for tomorrow if anyone is interested. 7/19/12Thanks for sharing!!!

After being alerted to the situation through the internet postings, Kathleen Sullivan, of Brigid’s Crossing Foundation cat sanctuary in Naples, went with her husband Christopher to search around the 97 mile marker along Interstate 75 on Wednesday. They pulled off the road near the spot where skid marks and torn up grass told them the accident had occurred.

Ten minutes later Sammy was found. He was sitting in a clump of grass at the foot of a tree, 20 yards from where his family’s minivan had come to a stop. His rescuers say it was as though he was waiting for someone to come and get him. Kathleen spoke softly and offered Sammy some canned food, then placed him in the carrier she brought with her.

The Sullivans took Sammy to Camille Loge, the rescuer who had posted to Facebook, and who has connections to the Saltzberg family.  Plans were made for Sammy to be reunited with his family today.

Not only did friends and strangers spread the word and find Sammy and bring him to safety, they also replaced Nikki’s wheelchair.

Craigslist post: SAMMIE CAT IN ACCIDENT FOUND!
Date: 2012-07-19, 11:19AM EDT
Thank you to everyone that contacted me about Sammie. She was found waiting at the accident site last night!

Rescuers Kat Sullivan and her husband Christopher with Sammy

Karen Harrison Binette

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