Mirage was found in a dirty and torn cloth carrier, which rescuers originally believed was a backpack before spotting the cat inside, at Bryce Canyon National Park.
UTAH, USA — Mirage, the 12-year-old tabby cat who survived a near 400-foot fall in Utah in April, found her new fur-ever home.
The cat miraculously walked away with relatively minor injuries after falling from a viewing area at Bryce Canyon National Park on April 28, according to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The fall killed her two owners Matthew Nannen, 45, and Bailee Crane, 58, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Chelsea Tugaw was one of the rescue pilots who responded to the scene and helped get Mirage to the animal hospital.
“We couldn’t believe the cat was alive. I thought she was injured and was uncertain of her future,” Tugaw said. “It gave me a lot of comfort when I found out she was going to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to get the help she needed.”
Mirage was found in a dirty and torn cloth carrier, which rescuers originally believed was a backpack before spotting the cat inside, according to Tugaw.
Upon arrival to the animal sanctuary, the cat was then named Mirage and looked over. They said then she was “still purring, still trusting, like nothing ever happened.” Mirage was later taken to a specialty veterinary hospital due to having some fluid around her heart, likely caused by the 380-foot fall.
Once she was stable and healthy, Mirage returned to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary who says the victims’ family were unable to adopt her, leading to Tugaw receiving their blessing and taking the 12-year-old cat home.
“I’m so ecstatic to be taking Mirage home. I hope I can give her the perfect retirement life and let her be a nice lazy cat in her old age,” Tugaw said. “I just hope she knows she’s going to a really loving home and that it’ll be her final home.”
