Some cats, like certain people, are naturally quiet. Mr. Boo is one such feline. The Kecskes family from Ohio adopted him years ago, and since then, he has never meowed. If he needs to communicate, he might emit a soft squeak, but that’s all. Mr. Boo is a silent cat.
“He never meows,” Ariana Kecskes shared with WKRC Local 12. “It’s actually kind of a joke in our family.” This was true until he found a crucial reason to break his silence. It seems he was saving his meows for a moment of true necessity.
One Tuesday night, while the family slept, a deadly threat filled their home: carbon monoxide. This odorless, tasteless, and silent killer is undetectable by humans and animals alike. However, Mr. Boo proved to be an extraordinary cat. According to Vets-Now.com, “Just like humans, cats don’t recognize when carbon monoxide is present…”
Despite this, Mr. Boo sensed the danger and took action. For the first time, he started to meow loudly. Fox19 reported on the incident, quoting David Kecskes, the father, saying, “David said the family cat, Boo, was meowing so loudly it woke everyone up.”
Mr. Boo’s unusual behavior woke the entire family just in time. The toxic gas was already affecting them. Kecskes and his wife were jolted from sleep by Mr. Boo’s persistent meowing. As they left their bedroom, they saw Boo collapse and pass out. Ariana, who shares a special bond with Mr. Boo, also fainted shortly after coming out of her room.
“He was sort of stumbling down the hallway and he just kept meowing. He seemed to kind of want us to get out of the house,” David told WKRC Local 12. “He passed out so many times trying to wake us all up and that’s just amazing because he’s never really meowed before. It’s like he’s been waiting his whole life to do this one heroic thing.”
David Kecskes quickly took action, evacuating the house and calling 911. He and his son carried Ariana out, then ensured everyone else, including Mr. Boo, was safe. They were able to grab a few essentials before exiting.
During his 911 call, David reported, “My daughter fainted in the hallway, my son fainted on the back porch and our cat fainted in the living room. And I’m dizzy and my mom’s dizzy. And my wife’s dizzy.” Fire crews arrived promptly, and the entire family was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Green Township’s Assistant Fire Chief told Fox19, “Had this situation gone on much longer, the outcome could have been different.” He emphasized the deadly nature of carbon monoxide, calling it a “silent killer.”
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An investigation revealed a malfunctioning boiler was leaking the gas, which was promptly red-tagged. The family did not have any carbon monoxide detectors—except for Mr. Boo. They have undoubtedly rectified this since the incident.
Mr. Boo’s story did not end there. The quiet cat who saved his family by meowing loudly enough to wake them all received recognition for his bravery. PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien commended Mr. Boo, saying, “Mr. Boo knew that something was wrong, and he didn’t rest until he’d alerted his entire family to the danger they were in. PETA is recognizing this heroic cat for saving his family and demonstrating just how rewarding adopting an animal can be.”
Mr. Boo was awarded a framed certificate, catnip toys, and vegan treats. The Kecskes family remains deeply grateful to their silent guardian, whose timely warning saved their lives.