MONTCLAIR — What a difference 12 months makes. Especially if it's in cat years.

On April 25, 2013 a one-pound kitten was doused with an accelerant and set on fire on a Philadelphia street.

Today Justin the fire survivor is a 10-pound furry celebrity — a champion opponent of animal abuse with a growing legion of Facebook fans. Though his ears are gone, he’s a healthy cat – and might just be the best-known member of his species in the Tri-State area.

“He’s earless – and fearless,” said Kelley Peters, Justin’s owner. “He’s more than a cat.”

Justin lives in a quiet suburban home with Peters and a series of foster kittens. On his Facebook page he has a whopping 134,000 fans who follow his exploits, written in a funny, hopeful voice – from his Catnip Party Thursday, to zany pictures of playing with the foster kittens, as he grooms them and teaches them to play. Every so often the page calls for specific fundraisers for injured animals at kill shelters, and highlights other causes.

Since he's lived with Peters over the last nine months, Justin's supporters have risen to each occasion, and each challenge posted on his site. More than $35,000 in donations to veterinarians, shelters and other causes in the name of specific animal stories highlighted on the Justin page have been raised, Peters said. It's become its own online community — with hundreds of people following, "liking," and commenting on his mostly-upbeat, funny exploits. Within moments of each update on the page, hundreds of people worldwide are interacting, commenting - and donating, as the case may be.

Other tokens of appreciation have been sent Justin's way, as well; an admirer from New Jersey even sent along his grandfather’s Bronze Star and Purple Heart earned in World War II, which are perched on the mantle above where the cat plays every afternoon.

That online celebrity has also translated to some real-world recognition, as well. The cat was inducted into the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association’s Hall of Fame last month, and he’s making appearances to give “pawtographs” and take pictures with other pets.

On Saturday he will visit the Animal Alliance of New Jersey's pet adoption center in Lambertville to commemorate his one-year survival. He will make other appearances in June — at the Happy Homes Animal Rescue in Old Bridge, and the Mid-Hudson Animal Aid facility in New York.

Justin’s celebrity follows the notoriety of Patrick the Pitbull, the well-known pooch who was nearly starved to death in Newark, but later became another icon against animal abuse. “The Patrick Miracle” Facebook page currently is even bigger than Justin’s, with over 300,000 fans.

Still, Justin’s attack has never been caught. The surveillance footage only shows the tiny one-pound kitten wandering into view, still burning after the attack. It also shows an onlooker smothering the flames with a coat, saving the little kitten's life.

Peters said that Justin's plucky survival victory is something people can identify with — especially since the focus is on a better tomorrow.

“People self-identify with him for their own personal reasons,” said Peters. “He came back from being set on fire. It doesn’t define him.”

Justin the burned kitten, one year later at his Montclair home 10 Gallery: Justin the burned kitten, one year later at his Montclair home

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