Tressa E Glass

Des Moines Register

Ames cat resident, Cleo, is a very lucky feline. The Ames Fire Department shared the details this week about a very moving Labor Day rescue on its Facebook page.

Rich Higgins, Ames deputy fire chief, said around 15 crew members responded to an accidental house fire at 922 Duff Ave in Ames at 1:57 pm on Monday. According to the Ames Tribune, the homeowners came home to find smoke and flames from a fire that originated in the dining room.

Everyone is safe, including Cleo, the owner's cat who was saved from the house's basement. She was found unresponsive and not breathing.

"The crew worked tirelessly for over 30 minutes to bring her back to life," according to the Facebook post. "The Ames Fire Department keeps special pet revival masks on all apparatus because we know that pets are family too!"

"People love their pets .... Pets are part of people's families," Higgins said. .

Followers of the Facebook post passed on praise for the work of fire officials, praising them for the effort to save a pet's life.

"Bless you all for saving this kitty's life!" one user wrote. "For many of us, our pets are our babies and/or best friends. Thank you!"

At the end of the post, which has been shared more than 700 times, the fire department reminded people to never go back into a burning building to rescue pets or loved ones. They say, "Let the professionals make the rescue, we have the training and equipment to be successful!"

The owner is optimistic about Cleo's recovery, according to the post. She has regained full neurological function and is still being treated for respiratory issues.