NEW YORK — A devastating fire completely destroyed a cat shelter in a New York suburb, tragically claiming the life of its founder and over 100 cats he had rescued. This incident has ignited an urgent rescue mission for many cats that still roam the wreckage of the burned-down facility.
Happy Cat Sanctuary, located on Long Island, was consumed by flames on Monday. Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is actively involved in the recovery efforts and estimates that around 150 cats survived the fire.
Some of the cats rescued from the blaze have suffered from burns and smoke inhalation. Treatment is underway at local animal hospitals to aid their recovery. Tragically, many cats perished in the fire, and some that survived but sustained severe injuries have been euthanized.
“The entire shelter is in ruins, and cats are still on the debris,” Gross remarked. Despite the dire circumstances, efforts are ongoing to collect and save as many cats as possible.
In the coming days, the SPCA plans to deploy its mobile animal surgical hospital to the site of the fire. This facility, notable for its usage in treating search-and-rescue dogs during 9/11, will aid in triaging the surviving cats without delay.
“This ongoing situation is about ensuring all these cats are cared for and relocated to a suitable facility,” Gross stated. He described the effort as an extraordinary undertaking in the wake of a tragic event.
The owner of the destroyed shelter, Christopher Arsenault, was discovered in a back room of the establishment in Medford, just over 50 miles from Manhattan. The property, which also housed outdoor cat accommodations, remains restricted as investigations continue to determine the cause of the fire.
Arsenault established Happy Cat in 2006 following the loss of his 24-year-old son, Eric, in a motorcycle accident. He found his life’s purpose after discovering a group of 30 sick kittens and nursing them back to health.
Gross noted that Arsenault dedicated his entire residence to the care of the cats, living modestly in a small room with just a bed, microwave, and refrigerator. “Every cent he had was spent on caring for the cats,” Gross said. “His life revolved around them.”
Gross dispelled any misconceptions about the sanctuary, stating that despite complaints due to its residential location, numerous inspections confirmed the animals were healthy and well-maintained. “He wasn’t a hoarder,” Gross insisted. “He was a good man doing the right thing—a hero in his own right.”
Caretakers for Brookhaven, where Medford sits, reported that Arsenault had been working rigorously to make the property compliant with building codes, even removing an unsafe finished basement. Plans were underway to relocate 60 to 80 cats to a large farm in upstate New York, a move Arsenault had been preparing for in recent months.
“This unfortunate disaster struck, and now he’s gone,” expressed Gross, lamenting the loss of a selfless and dedicated caretaker of cats.