A tragic fire has destroyed the Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford, Long Island, killing its founder, Christopher Arsenault, and more than 100 of the rescued cats he cared for. The fire, which broke out on Monday, has left many of the surviving cats injured, with some requiring immediate medical attention.
Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), confirmed that up to 150 cats may have survived the blaze. Efforts to rescue and care for the animals are ongoing, with some suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. These survivors have been taken to local animal hospitals for treatment.
“The entire shelter is burned down, and cats are found among the debris,” Gross said. “It’s a heartbreaking scene.”
The SPCA has dispatched its mobile animal surgical hospital, previously used in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, to treat the surviving cats near the site of the fire. Gross noted that this would be an extensive and continuous effort to care for the animals and find them proper homes.
Christopher Arsenault, 65, was discovered in a back room of the shelter, where he had dedicated much of his life to rescuing and caring for abandoned and neglected cats. He founded the Happy Cat Sanctuary in 2006 after the tragic loss of his son, Eric, in a motorcycle accident. Arsenault had devoted all his resources to the sanctuary, living modestly while providing for the many cats under his care.
“He put every penny he had into looking after those cats,” Gross remarked. “His life was devoted to them.”
The sanctuary, which included both indoor and outdoor facilities for the cats, had been subject to occasional complaints due to its location in a residential area. However, after multiple inspections by SPCA staff, it was determined that the animals were well-fed and properly cared for. Gross defended Arsenault, stating that he was not a hoarder but rather a dedicated and caring individual who did everything he could for the cats.
In recent months, Arsenault had started relocating some of the cats to a new 30-acre farm in upstate New York. Unfortunately, the fire occurred before the move could be completed, leaving Arsenault’s vision for the sanctuary unfulfilled.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the property remains cordoned off as authorities continue their work. Despite the loss, Gross and other animal care workers remain committed to the long recovery process, ensuring the surviving cats receive the care they need.
Related Topics
