Do you check your washer or dryer before you throw clothes in them?
After you hear this crazy story of survival you may start peeking inside.
Stefani Carroll-Kirchoff placed a load of clothes in her front-loading washing machine and ran to grab a few more pieces. When she returned, she threw the clothes in and turned the machine on.
After the cycle finished she noticed something that didn’t belong: a white paw.
“I must have turned my back for a few minutes folding clothes and he apparently went in there when I wasn’t looking,” Stefani told FOX News.
Without her knowledge, Stefani’s 1-year-old cat Felix jumped into the washing machine and stayed inside for the duration of the 35 minute wash cycle.
As soon as she realized the “horrific” mistake, she called her father and the two rushed to an emergency vet, Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota.
One of our patients was on KARE 11 last night. Through a terribly unfortunate accident, Felix the cat went through the…
Posted by Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota on Saturday, June 22, 2019
Miraculously, Felix survived.
“This will haunt me for the rest of my life,” she said. “It’s the most traumatic experience.”
As a result of the traumatic event he lost his vision and had pneumonia. Vets put the 1-year-old cat on oxygen therapy and intravenous therapy.
“I will do anything I can for him to stay alive,” Stefani said. “After what he’s been through, I feel like we owe it to him.”
[arve url=”https://media.kare11.com/embeds/video/89-282bb21a-79d8-4b2e-9bd2-27bfa55a2652/iframe” /]
Since Felix arrived at the emergency vet, he has received various treatments to help him recover. Even though Stefani says the entire experience will haunt her for the rest of her life, vets are optimistic about Felix’s recovery.
While he’s regained his sight, he still needs to receive treatment in an oxygen chamber.
“He continues to receive ‘round-the-clock oxygen, as he is struggling quite a bit to breathe when outside of his oxygen chamber,” Stefani’s daughter, Asha Carroll McCullough, wrote on Facebook. “His breathing while in the chamber is significantly better, but still labored.”
The longer Felix receives treatment, the more money Stefani will have to pay, and it’s money she doesn’t have. Her daughter set up a GoFundMe, which has since raised more than $10,000 to offset the medical bills.
TALK ABOUT HAVING NINE LIVES! Felix the cat is expected to make a complete recovery after surviving a full 35-minute cycle in a washing machine. His owner says she'll never forgive herself. bit.ly/2X2x0hn
Posted by WFLA News Channel 8 on Sunday, June 23, 2019
Stefani, who works at a pet grooming salon and has owned cats for 11 years, told CNN that once Felix fully recovers she plans on helping other animals in need.
“It’s given me a reason to fight harder for animals and their well-being,” she said.
Can you believe Felix survived a 35 minute wash cycle?
It’s truly a miracle!
Share this article to send well wishes to Felix.
