Burned cat finds new home with firefighter

A Philadelphia firefighter is adopting a cat that was set on fire this month in the city's Olney section.

Campbell will go home with Lt. Stephen Paslawski of Engine Company 45 in Strawberry Mansion, the Pennsylvania SPCA said Wednesday.

"When I saw the story about Campbell, I was disgusted that anyone could do this to any animal," Paslawski said in a statement. "I had recently put another cat I had down due to a large tumor, and with me being a firefighter, Campbell being burned, and the loss of my other cat, it just seemed like a perfect fit.

"Our first meeting was amazing. After a few minutes of petting him in the cage, he put his paws up on me and climbed onto my shoulder as if to say, I choose you. I knew right then it was meant to be," the firefighter said. "He'll have a loving home for the rest of his life."

Two men have been charged with setting fire to Campbell on Nov. 10.

The cat is recovering from severe burns at the PSPCA shelter's hospital and is expected to go home with Paslawski in a few weeks.