Firefighters rescue puppy found alive in back seat of abandoned burning car
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS/Gray News) — An 8-week-old puppy rescued from a car fire Sunday night is recovering at a Missouri animal shelter after receiving lifesaving care from firefighters.
Cape Girardeau firefighters extinguished flames from a vehicle outside a convenience store during below-freezing temperatures.
After the fire was extinguished, the crew found a puppy hiding in the back seat, still alive.
Firefighters believe the burning vehicle had been abandoned with the puppy inside.
First responders immediately brought the puppy inside the convenience store and gave him oxygen with donated pet masks.
“We are so glad that this dog survived the fire and is miraculously alive and well at this time,” the fire department said on Facebook.
With animal control unavailable Sunday night, firefighters took the puppy back to the station and cared for him overnight.
“Our crew kind of took it upon ourselves to bring that puppy back to the station, until the next morning, where we could get it to the right place, and it ultimately ended up at Southeast Missouri Pets (SEMO Pets), and from what I hear is being treated for smoke inhalation, and hopefully will be up for adoption soon,” Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Randy Morris said.
The dog, now named Ember, received initial treatment at Deer Ridge Animal Hospital in Jackson before arriving at SEMO Pets, where he continues his recovery from smoke inhalation.
Dr. Colleen Retz, a veterinarian, said Ember is being treated for respiratory difficulties and secondary pneumonia with prednisone and oral antibiotics twice daily.
“Having a little bit of respiratory difficulties, so he’s on a couple of different medicines,” Retz said. “Deer Ridge [Animal Hospital] started him on prednisone, which is an anti-inflammatory for the lung tissue as it heals, and an oral antibiotic twice a day for secondary pneumonia.”
Despite his ordeal, Ember remains playful and affectionate. The puppy will need additional time before becoming available for adoption.
“He is super playful, he is very loving, as you can see, he loves to give kisses, he has been very good in his crate, so he has been crate trained. But again, he’s just a puppy, so potty training will be involved,” said Jenn Farmer, executive director of SEMO Pets.
Farmer said the shelter expects Ember to make a full recovery.
Copyright 2026 KFVS via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
