Brooklyn building collapse: Isaac the cat found after Zariah Coleman’s tearful plea

FLATBUSH, Brooklyn (WABC) — Isaac the cat, feared lost in a deadly Brooklyn building collapse, has been found alive.

The cat belonged to Zariah Coleman, a 13-year-old girl who lives next to the building that collapsed Wednesday in Flatbush, killing eight people.

Allie Taylor, director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare, said in a Facebook post Sunday that the cat was found after days of uncertainty.

Flatbush Cats Executive Director Will Zweigart entered the building, in close coordination with the Department of Buildings, to rescue Isaac from his family’s apartment.

Isaac went four days without food or water. He is currently receiving veterinary care at Flatbush Vet and hopes to be able to rejoin his family in a few days.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X saying he was grateful for the work it took to reunite Coleman and his cat.

The official meeting will take place Monday at the Flatbush Veterinary Clinic, the nonprofit clinic operated by Flatbush Cats.

Coleman spoke at an emotional news conference Friday, describing his reaction after feeling the building shake.

“The first thing I thought of was my cat,” Coleman said.

Coleman said she rushed home after the collapse but was unable to look for her pet herself.

“I realized I didn’t know what I was going to face,” she said.

She said when she arrived and saw the destruction, she wanted to go beyond the police tape to look for it. Coleman said she was later told that people had tried to find the cat, but she thought it was probably hiding and scared.

“I really hope they come and get our cat,” she said.

The collapse happened around 4 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters responded and, within minutes, rescued several residents and construction workers.

Authorities said eight people died, including two children, two construction workers and four other adults.

Four firefighters and 14 civilians were injured.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

———-

* More Brooklyn news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Download our connected TV app

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a news tip or story idea we should cover? Submit it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If you attach a video or photo, the terms of use apply.