The city’s most famous feline – already the subject of two books and countless TV and newspaper stories – was back in the news yesterday when she won the first Scarlett Award for Animal Heroism, named after her.
Four years ago, Scarlett, then a street cat, was badly burned and almost killed in a Brooklyn fire as she bravely rescued her five kittens from the flames, one at a time.
Scarlett, now recovered, happy, plump and living in luxury, accepted her prize, a crystal feeding dish, at the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, L.I., where she had been nursed back to health.
The shelter’s director, Carolyn Sweetapple, described Scarlett as “our Cinderella kitty.”
“Scarlett is a constant source of joy and love,” said her owner, Karen Wellen.
The cat, who lives with Wellen’s mother in Brooklyn, “has a life of being spoiled now,” said Karen. “She’s just a wonderful part of our family.”
Scarlett’s heroism demonstrated the “incredibly strong bond between mother and child. She is an example of what love and devotion are,” said Wellen.
Scarlett “is a true heroine,” said North Shore spokeswoman Marge Stein. “Any mother that risked her life for her babies … is certainly deserving.”