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A GoFundMe campaign for the cats rescued from the devastating Happy Cat Sanctuary fire in Medford has now surpassed $535,000, as donations continue to flood in from across the country.
Additionally, a separate Facebook support drive has raised more than $100,000. The funds are helping to provide emergency medical care for the surviving cats and support efforts to find them new homes, said Lisa Jaeger of Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue in Port Jefferson.
Jaeger, who established the GoFundMe and Facebook fundraisers and was a close friend of the sanctuary’s late founder Chris Arsenault, said Wednesday that many of the cats are being treated for burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries at veterinary clinics across Suffolk County.
The fire, which broke out Monday morning, claimed the life of Arsenault, 65, and at least 100 cats. Witnesses said Arsenault died while trying to save the animals he had spent years rescuing. Homicide and arson investigators are looking into what caused the fire.
“Every dime that is raised is going to the [Happy Cat] sanctuary. Every veterinary clinic where these [rescued] cats are going has Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue’s debit card. All of the bills are being charged to my rescue,” Jaeger said in an update she posted on Facebook. “We do still need money. Please keep giving … I want to thank everyone for supporting us.”
Between 150-200 cats survived the fire, sparking a massive rescue and relief effort. Jaeger said 25 of those cats suffered burns and other injuries in the fire.
Below is a video of the ongoing rescue effort undertaken by animal rescue workers from across Long Island. It was posted by Frank Floridia of Strong Island Animal Rescue.
The overwhelming response to the fundraiser has made it one of GoFundMe’s most widely supported campaigns this week, with more than 10,500 donations recorded as of Wednesday evening. Hundreds of donations were pouring in by the hour.
Jaeger and other animal rescue groups are continuing efforts to secure, treat and re-home the displaced cats.
Below is the rescue effort update that Jaeger posted Wednesday on her Facebook page.
Top photos: Facebook video stills of the rescue effort at Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford (Strong Island Animal Rescue).
