Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man goes viral for adorable cat rescue from Hurricane Ian: ‘He’s everyone’s boyfriend now’

“That guy is a keeper....and the kitty, too!”, wrote one social media user

Gino Spocchia
Thursday 29 September 2022 16:50 BST
Comments
Related video: Hurricane Ian hits Orlando
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Bonita Springs man has stolen the hearts of thousands on social media after he was caught on video carrying a cat to safety from floodwaters caused by Hurricane Ian.

Mike Ross, who carried out the rescue, was captured rescuing an orange and white cat outside his parent’s home in Bonita Beach on Wednesday afternoon after seeking shelter from Hurricane Ian.

Speaking in an interview with The Washington Post, Mr Ross said how he noticed the “terrified” cat sitting outside and waded through floodwater to rescue the stricken animal.

He could be seen going outside to scoop the cat up and into his arms, before carrying the animal indoors to safety from rising floodwaters. The cat was clinging tightly to his chest.

His girlfriend, Megan Cruz Scavo, tweeted the footage with the caption: “My boyfriend saving a cat from flood waters near Bonita Beach.”

On Twitter, more than three million people have since watched the rescue, with many praising Mr Ross and others expressing their adoration for the Bonita Beach man widely described as “everyone’s boyfriend now”.

“I’m sorry, Megan, but he is everyone’s boyfriend now,” wrote one Twitter user. “ I don’t make the rules.”

“Absolute hero. Marry that man. Hope you all stay safe,” wrote another.

Megan Cruz Scavo’s boyfriend rescuing the cat
Megan Cruz Scavo’s boyfriend rescuing the cat (Megan Cruz Scavo)

“That guy is a keeper … and the kitty, too!,” added a third person.

“I’m a happily married straight man and he’s my boyfriend now,” a forth person tweeted.

Mr Ross’s mother, Marybeth Ross, could meanwhile be heard saying in the background of the video: “Look at Michael saving the kitty. Awww.”

Writing in an update on Thursday, Ms Scavo said the couple were keeping the cat who was going to be renamed Ian after the near-Category 5 storm which she said had destroyed her house.

She tweeted: “Update on Hurricane Ian cat: He made it through (almost lost him to storm surge) & we are keeping him and naming him Ian. Our house unfortunately might be destroyed but we are safe”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in