Kitten Saved From Hurricane Beryl Adopted by Rescuers: 'Your Baby Now'

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a heartwarming story has emerged following the storm's devastation. While driving along a storm-battered highway, a local couple made an unexpected and lifesaving discovery.

Amid the debris and destruction left behind by the powerful storm, Heidi Somers Guzman, 35, and her husband, Christian, 30, spotted a frightened kitten crossing the road in Missouri City, Texas.

Christian's quick thinking and compassionate action have been hailed on TikTok by thousands of users who are invested in the rescue story. On July, 10, Heidi shared a clip to @heidisomers that shows the couple sitting in their car, with their husky, Nalla, in the back. Christian can be seen cradling the 8-week-old kitten, who is wrapped in a blanket.

Two screenshots from a TikTok video show the moment Simba was rescued by Christian Guzman, who chased the cat across the road and into a fountain. Two screenshots from a TikTok video show the moment Simba was rescued by Christian Guzman, who chased the cat across the road and into a fountain. Heidi Somers Guzman/TikTok/@heidisomers

Racking up 1.1 million views, the video has provided social media viewers with a glimmer of hope and humanity following the hurricane's destruction. Simba, a Siamese mix, has since been adopted by the business owner couple.

Heidi, who lives in Sugar Land, Texas, told Newsweek: "My husband is an alpha male who does bodybuilding shows and melted into a puddle when he saved this kitten from the cars on the highway."

Beryl made landfall in Texas on July 8, with wind speeds up to 80 mph. Six to 8 inches of rain fell on Houston, leading to flash floods in low-lying areas. Around 400,000 people lost power, and over 2 million people across the state were without power by the next day. Schools were closed in anticipation of the storm. Beryl, which formed on June 28, had quickly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane by July 1.

Initially, the couple attempted to find Simba's owners. But with no luck, they were led to believe, he must be a stray.

"He's your baby now," commented one user on the video, which has over 107,000 likes. Another user said: "That's a lynx point Siamese! You guys won the cat lottery!!"

Now, Heidi's page (@heidisomers) is filled with updates on the feline settling into his new home. In another clip that has over 174,000 views, the Christian and the kitten can be seen snuggling together, and the text explains that the "kitten now owns our life."

Heidi told Newsweek: "This kitten has made my husband his person and I am now just the runner-up! They have such a special sweet bond."

@heidisomers

Udate…the kitten we rescued is now living his best life. 🥹 We ate taking him to the vet on Monday for a check up and to see if hes chipped. We would take him sooner but Houston is still struggling and i dont want to overwhelm the vet clinics. 🥺 #kittensoftiktok #catsoftiktok #catvideos

♬ Funny - Gold-Tiger

However, Nalla is still coming to terms with the feline's arrival.

"So far, the pets get along pretty well. They don't "love" each other by any means, but they tolerate one another," Heidi said. "Looking after Simba has been a huge learning curve, especially because we had no access to internet or cell service the first couple of days due to the storm."

How to Care for Kittens

Newsweek previously spoke to Sarah Elliott, central veterinary officer for U.K. charity Cats Protection. She had the following advice:

  • Vaccinate and litter-train the kitten before bringing it home.
  • Socialize the kitten by introducing it to various people. Use gentle handling and different sounds.
  • Prepare your home with toys and space and remove hazards. Bring a blanket from the kitten's first home for comfort.
  • Consult a vet and get pet insurance for professional care.
  • Feed the kitten small, regular meals, using food that's similar to what it previously ate, during the early stages (eight to 12 weeks).

"Kittens should have access to fresh water and be given commercial kitten food to ensure their nutritional needs are met," Elliott said.

"Their food should be checked and replaced at least four times daily. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and avoid giving more than the total daily recommended amount as this can lead to obesity."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.