Anaya Christopher pleads for help to rescue cat trapped in Waterbury fire rubble

Anaya Christopher pleaded for help after a fire in Waterbury last week displaced at least 15 people and left her 8‑year‑old cat, Shadow, trapped in the condemned building’s rubble, a Fox reporter in the field said.

Christopher said she was at her boyfriend’s house when she learned of the blaze and did not arrive in time to rescue the pet. "He was with me all the time," she said. "So to know that he's still stuck on the 3rd Floor right now ... I'm still scared."

Drone footage and photos shared with local outlets captured what the family and animal advocates say is Shadow on camera, providing a possible sighting that has kept hopes alive. Local animal advocates, including the Waterbury Wolfpack, went to a meeting of the Waterbury Board of Aldermen asking city officials to help recover pets they believe remain trapped.

City fire officials say they have tried to recover animals but have been limited by safety concerns. According to the reporter’s account of the department’s statement, "Firefighters went up there to try to, reach the the cat. The that building is is condemned and unauthorized to enter for anybody else," and one firefighter was injured when he fell through a floor and became wedged between levels.

Firefighters have placed traps and food and are working with animal control, the department said. The reporter said Chief Javier Lopez told her crews will return to the site "as soon as they spot Shadow just in the right position to rescue him."

For now, the displaced residents remain rehoused or in temporary shelter and recovery efforts on the property remain limited until crews can safely enter the structure.