Creek County Families Return Home To Find Pets Injured, Burned

As more wildfire victims in Creek County are returning to their homes, some are making shocking discoveries.

As 60-foot flames raced up a hill toward his home, Marshal Hall said it was the closest thing to Hell he could ever imagine.

"By the time we made it out of the driveway, the house was already in flames," Marshal said.

Like so many wildfire victims, Hall and his family are starting over.

They have very little left, but each other.

"All of our pictures from way back in the 1800s—they're all gone," Marshal said.

Despite all they've lost, they're hopeful one thing will survive the flames.

"She was trying to save her babies," said ten-year-old Madison Hall.

Madison's pet cat, Roxie, who she's raised since she was a kitten, was burned while trying to get her litter of kittens to safety.

"When I see her, I can barely talk," Madison said.

Roxie is being treated at the Animal Emergency Center in Tulsa.

"Only God knows why that cat is still alive, because I went to wipe stuff off her eyes and skin peeled right off of her," Marshal said.

8/10/2012 Related Story: Green Country Woman Rescues Burned, Displaced Animals From Creek County

As more people return to their burned homes, more injured pets are being discovered, like this lab mix found west of Mannford.

Infection is the biggest worry. Narcotics help dull the pain.

"We take the dead flesh off, and let the good flesh grow," Veterinary Assistant Anita Vreeland said.

Vreeland said she sometimes cries when Roxie purrs or an injured dog lovingly wags its tail.

She said she fears there may be hundreds more animals like these, wandering, lost and hurting.

"Don't forget them. They're out there, and they need our help," Vreeland said.

Vreeland said Roxie will likely recover, but it will take time and tender loving care.

For Madison, it's hard to wait and worry. The family is holding out hope for Roxie, when hope is about the only thing they have left.

"She's going to be an inside cat now and she's probably going to sleep every night in my bed now," Madison said.

"They said she's a fighter, and we pray to God she does pull through," Marshal said.

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is helping with the care of burned and injured animals, but they need financial donations.

There's also a big need for foster families to take in pets that are hurting. Click here to find out how you can help.