I&M crews spent days helping fellow AEP companies, Kentucky Power and Appalachian Power Company (APCO), after remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread power outages. Our contingent of restoration workers returned home safely – plus one furry animal riding shotgun.

Shanelle Sellers, Distribution Work Plan manager in New Haven, Ind., couldn’t return home without a stray cat that found her.

“We were working in Lebanon, Virginia for five days when the kitty showed up late at night outside of the service center,” Sellers said. “He was so friendly and wanted all the head scratches. We gave him a leftover cheeseburger and some water.”

Sellers was told there were several stray cats in the area. That’s when she decided if the cat came back, she would adopt him.

“It just pulled at my heart strings. When he returned the day before we were set to head home, I knew he had to come with me,” Sellers said. She named the cat Carbo, after one of the more challenging electrical circuits our I&M crews restored.

“I’ve honestly never done anything like this before while on storm restoration. I already have three cats and a dog and acres of land for farm cats.”

Sellers packed up the cat and made the 8-hour drive home.  Her pets are adjusting to the new addition and her children are already in love with Carbo.

For more on I&M's Hurricane Helene's restoration efforts, click here.