Man rescues stranded cat stuck in Hurricane Ian's rising floodwater: "He was so gentle"

A Florida man has won the internet after a video of him saving a stranded cat from the wrath of Hurricane Ian was posted online. The quick-thinking good samaritan is Mike Ross, 29, who lives in Bonita Springs in southwest Florida. He left his house which was “10 feet underwater” to go to his parents house that has a “fortress” built to weather hurricanes, he said according to The Washington Post. The young man noticed a stranded orange-and-white tabby cat on an outdoor air conditioning unit near his parents' beach house north of Naples. Ross waded through the water to rescue the petrified animal.

Ross has lived in the area his entire life and is familiar with hurricanes but said this one was “absolutely terrible.” As for the cat, Ross said the animal appeared “terrified.” It wasn't easy to pick up the animal; Ross had to walk against the current and he had to use force to go through but the cat was finally saved. Marybeth Ross, Ross' mother, recorded the rescue on video and his girlfriend posted the video on Twitter which has since gone viral. Internet users celebrated Ross as he gently approached the abandoned animal and picked it up. While holding the feline close to his chest, he was able to bring the cat to safety. "My boyfriend saving a cat from flood waters near Bonita Beach," wrote on Twitter. “I’m sorry, Megan, but he is everyone’s boyfriend now,” someone responded jokingly. Another added, “Absolute hero. Marry that man. Hope you all stay safe.” A third said, "Any guy, who would put himself in that situation, in order to rescue a helpless, scared kitty is a good guy and perhaps a keeper!" "A cat’s nature is to fight when they are scared especially with a stranger. Your boyfriend was so gentle and measured that the cat read his intent. I love cats and now I think I love your boyfriend a little too. Good job" pointed out another Twitter user.

The couple has started a GoFundMe page to help others in need during this difficult time. They wrote, "We are a young couple in Naples, FL raising money to help restore our home — which suffered terrible damage — and the homes of others after the devastation seen from Hurricane Ian. Mike braved the storm to save a cat, who we named Ian, that was stranded clinging for life on a neighbor’s AC unit as storm surge rushed in. In honor of Ian, and all people and pets affected, we are donating half of the proceeds raised by this to the Naples Humane Society." A wonderful initiative, indeed! 

Cover Image Source: Twitter | @MeganScavo