Happy Cat Sanctuary rescue efforts after deadly Medford fire to take up to 2 weeks, volunteers say
Capturing and removing more than 200 mostly feral cats from in and around what remains of their burned-out Medford home will take weeks, volunteers and rescue organizations at the scene said Wednesday.
The fire early Monday killed Christopher Arsenault, 65, who had transformed part of his home into the Happy Cat Sanctuary, and also killed what officials believe to be more than 100 cats in his care.
Since the fire, volunteers — many seasoned by their own efforts feeding and looking after feral cats — have been a near-constant presence on the property on Dourland Road.
"The biggest job hasn't even been done yet," Lisa Jaeger, who runs the nonprofit Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue Inc. and sits on the Happy Cat Sanctuary's board, said at the scene Wednesday.
Rescuers set up a mobile veterinary clinic to treat any cats brought in by volunteers. Yellow caution tape and plates of cat food were scattered around the property as cats roamed through the charred home and backyard shelters that withstood the fire.
"It’s going to be two weeks before all the cats are out of here and maybe several weeks before they’ve all been captured," Jaeger said.
A small memorial sat in front of the single-family home and sanctuary. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, according to Suffolk County police.
Of the 20 cats that have been removed from the property for treatment, one had to be euthanized because of bad burns, Jaeger said.
The Nesconset-based organization Paws of War set up a mobile veterinary clinic at the Medford site to treat the rescued cats. The animals are being given tests for diseases such as feline leukemia.
This weekend, volunteers are planning to start the process of removing the cats from the property and placing them with rescuers. More than 200 crates are being delivered to house the cats.
The 42-inch crates will be set up at a Holbrook warehouse with food, water and litter boxes.
Rescuers are working with the Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' mobile surgical hospital to examine the cats before they can be placed with rescues. They are not expected to be available for adoption for several weeks, Jaeger said.
The Suffolk SPCA has requested rabies vaccines from the county Department of Health, SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.
The SPCA will deploy its mobile hospital vehicle to the Holbrook warehouse to vaccinate and treat the cats as they are seen. Veterinarians can perform surgery on site if necessary. The cats will be screened before sent to rescues or their future homes, Gross said
"This is a major undertaking," he said, but we'll get it done."
Capturing and removing more than 200 mostly feral cats from in and around what remains of their burned-out Medford home will take weeks, volunteers and rescue organizations at the scene said Wednesday.
The fire early Monday killed Christopher Arsenault, 65, who had transformed part of his home into the Happy Cat Sanctuary, and also killed what officials believe to be more than 100 cats in his care.
Since the fire, volunteers — many seasoned by their own efforts feeding and looking after feral cats — have been a near-constant presence on the property on Dourland Road.
"The biggest job hasn't even been done yet," Lisa Jaeger, who runs the nonprofit Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue Inc. and sits on the Happy Cat Sanctuary's board, said at the scene Wednesday.
A small memorial outside of Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford on Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Rescuers set up a mobile veterinary clinic to treat any cats brought in by volunteers. Yellow caution tape and plates of cat food were scattered around the property as cats roamed through the charred home and backyard shelters that withstood the fire.
"It’s going to be two weeks before all the cats are out of here and maybe several weeks before they’ve all been captured," Jaeger said.
A small memorial sat in front of the single-family home and sanctuary. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, according to Suffolk County police.
Of the 20 cats that have been removed from the property for treatment, one had to be euthanized because of bad burns, Jaeger said.
A cat that survived the Medford fire Monday, sits on the roof of the burned home and Happy Cat Sanctuary on Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
The Nesconset-based organization Paws of War set up a mobile veterinary clinic at the Medford site to treat the rescued cats. The animals are being given tests for diseases such as feline leukemia.
This weekend, volunteers are planning to start the process of removing the cats from the property and placing them with rescuers. More than 200 crates are being delivered to house the cats.
A survivor of the fire moves about outside the charred home Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
The 42-inch crates will be set up at a Holbrook warehouse with food, water and litter boxes.
Rescuers are working with the Suffolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' mobile surgical hospital to examine the cats before they can be placed with rescues. They are not expected to be available for adoption for several weeks, Jaeger said.
The Suffolk SPCA has requested rabies vaccines from the county Department of Health, SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.
The SPCA will deploy its mobile hospital vehicle to the Holbrook warehouse to vaccinate and treat the cats as they are seen. Veterinarians can perform surgery on site if necessary. The cats will be screened before sent to rescues or their future homes, Gross said
"This is a major undertaking," he said, but we'll get it done."
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
This is a modal window.
Air Jordans turn 40 ... Fitness Fix: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ... LI works: Subtle Tea Company ... Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
Top Stories
This is a modal window.
Air Jordans turn 40 ... Fitness Fix: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ... LI works: Subtle Tea Company ... Here's a look at some of the exclusive stories you may have missed this week on NewsdayTV.
