PETA awards animal-saving firefighter
He’s one feline-friendly firefighter — and now he’s got the award to prove it.
Animal rights group PETA awarded Austin Fire one of its Compassionate Fire Department awards to celebrate smoke-eating hero Alex Baumeister’s rescue of five animals over five days, including saving two adorable kittens trapped behind a wall.
“This superhero firefighter had the knowledge, resources, heart, and determination needed to rescue five animals in one week from perilous situations,” PETA spokeswoman Colleen O’Brien said in a statement. “PETA hopes the good work of Alex Baumeister and everyone at the Austin Fire Department will inspire people to come to the aid of animals in need.”
PETA will send the Fire Department and Baumeister a package of fire-alert stickers to distribute to the public, framed certificates and a box of vegan cookies.
Baumeister’s week of exploits began May 1, when he pulled a cat from a burning apartment. The next day, he rescued and helped resuscitate a dog. Then, there was the 6-foot snake he saved that Thursday.
But his rescue of two kittens from behind the wall of a house that’s being remodeled is what catapulted him to fame.
The owner said she has no idea how they got there, but she and a friend are adopting the pair — one of which is now named Alex, after his rescuer.