MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  Raven, the little black cat who captured the hearts of Mossel Bay residents when a photo of her exploring the burnt-out shell of a Vakansieplaas home was posted online last week, is back safe and sound with her owner, Amber Barnard.

Barnard recounted the night of the evacuation and her return home the following day with Raven and her other cat, Shenzi.

She had been at work in Da Nova on the afternoon of 6 January when she and her boyfriend received a call from their housemate. 

"He said the fires were getting worse and we needed to evacuate. On our way there, I was so worried about my cats, the house and everyone in the complex," Barnard said.

The photo of Raven exploring a burnt-out house in Vakansieplaas that made her 'famous'. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse

While she and her boyfriend made their way towards Vakansieplaas, their housemate rounded up Raven and Shenzi, got them in his car and drove out of the area to Blasters, where the other evacuated residents had gathered.

"When we arrived, there was just this black smoke everywhere. We met our housemate and took Raven and Shenzi over to our car. We stayed at a friend's that night and came back the next day."

Upon their return, Raven and Shenzi went out exploring, which is when Mossel Bay Advertiser captured the photo of Raven.

Barnard said a few people had then mentioned to her that a photo of Raven was online. "I was surprised at how many people had commented, and some were really worried about her," she said.

She said Raven will turn two on 19 February, and that Shenzi is actually her daughter - she turned one on 25 November.

"Shenzi ended up being my favourite out of the litter. Just like her mum, she was the runt of the litter, but had learnt all her cat mannerisms faster than any of the other kittens," Barnard said. 

"Raven loves to go on hikes with us. She doesn't like a leash and prefers to walk alongside us. When she gets distracted by shiny things on our little walks, all I do is call and she comes running." 

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