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January 11, 2026
She spent 366 days searching for her cats after losing them in the LA fires: ‘I promised my babies’
After her Altadena home burned down, Darlene Hamilton wondered whether her cats Merlyn and Kiki had escaped. A year later, she hasn’t given up hope
TL;DR
- Darlene Hamilton lost her Altadena home and two cats, Merlyn and Kiki, in a wildfire in January 2025.
- She spent a year searching for her cats, waking early to scour animal rescue websites and post flyers.
- Hamilton fled her home quickly during the fire, leaving doors open in hopes the cats would escape.
- Despite searching shelters, posting photos, and receiving community support, no remains or sightings of the cats were confirmed.
- A year later, Hamilton and her husband have moved to a new rental home in Altadena, and she is preparing to cease her active search, though she expects to always look for them.
- The couple's roses at the former property survived the fire.
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