A tragic fire on an animal sanctuary in Long Island has left a whole community in grief. Early Monday morning, a flame tore through the happy cat animal sanctuary in Medford and claimed that its founder and more than 100 cats.
Police responded to the fire around 1 p.m. 07.15, when the flames were turned off at. 8:35, the shrine was reduced to rubble. The Suffolk County police confirmed that 65-year-old Christopher Arsenault, the man behind the shrine, was killed in the fire-was believed to have died while trying to save the animals during his care.
The shrine was home to at least 300 cats. Officials say that at least a third is believed to have died in the fire, although efforts are being made to save, treat and restore the survivors.
Detectives from both the murder and fire founders actively investigate the cause of the fire. Although it is too early to determine exactly how it started, the circumstances have suspected. Suffolk County Police Chief of Detectives William Doherty declared it was too early to confirm the cause but the investigation remains open.
Long Island Animal Rights activist John Debacker announced on Facebook that Arsenault had been harassed in the months leading up to the fire. He speculated that the fire could be related, and encouraged supporters to preserve all online interactions that may be relevant to a potential arson survey. Debacker refused to comment further as they were contacted by the media.
Suffolk County SPCA chief Roy Gross described the loss as a devastating blow to both the Animal Rescue community and those who knew ArsenAult personally.
It’s a terrible situation, Gross said. Really tragic.
According to Records, Happy Cat Inc. A nonprofit set up to provide a safe harbor for cats in need. Arsenault began the shrine in 2006 after losing his son in a motorcycle accident. Friends say it became the mission of his life and he worked on moving the shrine upstate to expand the care he could offer.
On the fire day, several rescue groups and volunteers rushed to the site to help. The remaining cats were rounded, given medical treatment and prepared for new locations. Several organizations immediately stepped in to make sure the animals received food, shelter and veterinary attention.
While investigators continue to search for answers, arsenault beiNG remembered as a man who devoted his life to caring for animals, especially those who had no other place to walk. His losses along with so many cat lives have shaken society.
Those who knew Arsenault described him as friendly, passionate and deeply dedicated to every animal he saved. In light of adversity, he continued to fight for the lives that depended on him.
His heritage lives on in the hundreds of animals he saved – and in the heart of those who continue his mission.
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