AGOURA HILLS : Cat Spared in Flames Finds Friendly Home

Calabasas/Malibu fire survivor Elsa the Siamese cat was adopted Friday by a friend of British screenwriter Duncan Gibbins, who died trying to save his pet from the flames Nov. 2.

“Duncan was my husband’s best, best friend, and we wanted to find a place where the cat would be with somebody who knew her,” said Patricia Craissati, who adopted Elsa at the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter in Agoura Hills. “We’ve spent time with her and we both work at home, so we can be around, to help her get over the trauma.”

Elsa was found by a sheriff’s deputy hours after Gibbins, 41, suffered fatal burns while trying to rescue her from his guest house on Old Topanga Road. The tragedy of Gibbins’ failed attempt has drawn sympathetic phone calls from as far away as England, according to shelter officials.

Although the feline’s paws, face and neck were scorched, she is expected to make a full recovery, said Bruce Richards, director of the Agoura animal shelter.

“She’s making a tremendous comeback,” Richards said. “And we’re very glad she’s going to be in good hands.”

The feline--named after the lion in the movie “Born Free”--”adopted” Gibbins a year ago, when she showed up on his doorstep, Craissati said.