Daughter And Mom Escape Jersey City Fire With Cats, Now Need Help

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City teen Eliany Rivera, 18, has been helping rescue cats in the area for years.

After a fire spread through their home in Jersey City last month, Eliany, her mom, and her brother managed to get out with three cats — including one they're fostering.

But now they need financial support to find a new home, and a new home for their foster cat, Sissy.

It was on Jan. 15 that a fire at 35 Wright Ave. forced out Eliany, along with her mom and her 15-year-old brother.

Eliany, in her senior year at Dickinson High School, said she and her family are trying to replace clothes and other items.

"We lost our beds and mostly furniture," she said last week. "Me and my mom were able to save most of our clothes but my brother lost most of his clothes. He’s a size medium in most clothes and size 8 shoes. Most of the help we need is financial, as I had just quit my job to focus on graduating my senior year in high school and my mom had just been laid off."

She said that she and her mom also need help with a foster cat Sissy, with whom she has worked for about a year.

"We always need fosters but Sissy needs someone who is willing to be patient with her and help her come out of her shell," she said, "like I’ve been doing for the past year, so the incident doesn’t make her regress."

She added, "Sissy is in a temporary foster under North Bergen Purr for the moment, and we are looking for a foster to take over as a long-term foster. Here is the foster application."

'A Gentle, Playful Kitty'

She said, "Sissy is a gentle, playful kitty who loves spending time around people, other cats, and even kids. She’s soft and sweet, always showing affection in her own way. She enjoys rubbing against your foot and being nearby, making her presence known with her calm and kind nature."

She added, "Sissy is never aggressive and brings a sense of warmth wherever she goes. She loves playtime, especially when there are treats or chicken involved, and she’ll thrive in a loving home that appreciates her friendly, easy-going personality."

Need More Donors

As of Tuesday, the fundraiser had amassed $2,510.

The family friend who set up the GoFundMe said the family is staying with a relative for now.

"Donating to the GoFundMe is the most helpful thing people can do to help them get back on their feet," she said. "Their first priority is finding housing as they are staying in a temporary situation with a relative but it is not sustainable long-term. Other than donating money, Eliany and her mom are looking for furniture donations as well as cat food donations, specifically Blue Buffalo 'Tastefuls' and Fancy Feast wet food."

The family works with North Bergen Purr and Purrfect Catpanion cat rescues. You can find out how to volunteer, donate, or see the cats to foster or adopt by clicking the links.

The GoFundMe, "Help Eliany And Her Mom Survive After Devastating Fire," can be found here.