Katie Shippen, a veterinary technician at UC Davis near her home in Sacramento, California, was at work when she was tasked with treating one of the many cats who were admitted to the veterinary school’s after suffering injuries related to the 2018 wildfires that ravaged the state. While Katie cared for several animals during this time, one particular cat—who was transferred to the ICU on November 15, 2018—stood out to her for multiple reasons. “He was so dirty and covered in soot when he came to the hospital,” remembers Katie. “He was a bright yellow color, so he ended up with the name Banana.”
In addition to his distinctive coat, Banana had some of the worst injuries Katie had seen during this time, including lung and heart damage, as well as severe burns to his ears, face, paws, and tail. Despite the trauma Banana had experienced, he was nothing but sweet and affectionate even in the face of such severe injuries,” explains Katie.
While Banana received excellent care during his time at UC Davis, he still needed ongoing help to have parts of his tail, most of his toes, and part of an ear amputated because they were simply too damaged. However, Banana was one of the lucky ones, because even though he suffered severe trauma, Banana survived, thanks largely to the tireless efforts of animal rescue volunteers and veterinary professionals.
He was found by a volunteer animal rescuer, taken to an emergency hospital where many vets and technicians were working around the clock to provide initial care for animals injured in the fire, and then he was transferred to UC Davis where he spent months being cared for by world-class veterinarians and technicians,” says Katie.
During his recovery, Banana charmed everyone at the veterinary school with his sweet and loving spirit, providing Katie and her colleagues with much-needed respite from tending to critically hurt animals. “During disasters like this, the emotional toll it takes while caring for the injured animals is heavy,” explains Katie. “Banana helped relieve that burden for many of the UC Davis employees.
Unsure if Banana had a family who was looking for him, UC Davis shared his photo and information on social media, and Katie eventually learned that a community cat who had once had multiple caretakers but no specific owner had bonded with him. While the happy-go-lucky kitty didn’t have a family who was looking for him, his story gained him a large number of supporters from all over the world who helped make sure Banana got the care he needed. “He had people across the globe donating money towards his recovery,” says Katie. “He seems to really enjoy socializing! He is a champion cuddler and loves food.”
By January 2019, Banana’s injuries had healed and no one had come forward to claim him as their pet, so Katie decided to adopt him. Four months later, Banana—who is now healthy, not yellow—is doing great and while he’s not the most playful cat, it’s obvious he’s happy in his forever home. “He seems to relax and enjoy himself when he is ready to go a little outside his comfort zone,” says Katie.
Katie is confident that with time, Banana will feel completely comfortable enough to explore his forever home and play more like a typical cat, but after everything he’s been through, she has no intention of rushing him. “He will be a part of our family forever, so he can take all the time he needs,” says Katie. 
Without a doubt, Banana survived something no one should ever have to endure, but instead of concentrating on his physical and psychological trauma, Katie prefers to focus on his resilience and the generosity he has inspired in others. “Banana is alive today because of the kindness and compassion of countless people,” says Katie.
For Katie, Banana is a symbol of optimism and the power of community, and while they may face a very difficult time ahead in both of their lives, this incredibly special cat has always been a source of positivity and happiness for her. “He brings joy to my life every single day.”
Katie is confident that with time, Banana will continue to become more comfortable and explore his forever home and play like a typical cat. But after everything he’s been through, there is no rush. “He will be a part of our family forever, so he can take all the time he needs,” says Katie.
Katie grew up in Butte County where the fire happened and had family and friends who lost their homes and friends who lost their lives. She says, “Banana gave me hope that things would get better when all I kept hearing were stories of sadness and loss. He also reminds me of the good in people—his survival was a chain of events held together by the goodness and kindness of people. He brings joy to my life every single day.”
