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Phoenix fought hard but didn’t make it — the badly burned cat died early Tuesday morning, despite around-the-clock care. Crystal still struggles to breathe without oxygen. Salem rests, his burns painful but manageable.
The three were among more than 100 cats pulled out alive from the devastating blaze that tore through Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford on Monday, killing its founder, Chris Arsenault, and at least 100 cats.
As rescue and adoption efforts continue, an outpouring of support has flooded in from animal welfare advocates across the country. In less than 24 hours, thousands of donors have contributed more than $200,000 to various support drives, helping to cover medical expenses for the injured cats and aid in finding permanent homes for the survivors.
Many of the rescued cats are receiving treatment at veterinary hospitals and clinics across Suffolk County, from Mattituck to West Islip.
Phoenix, who lost the majority of his fur and had severe burns on his face and body, was monitored overnight at the home of a volunteer and was expected to return to the hospital Tuesday for further treatment. But Strong Island Animal Rescue reported that the cat had succumbed to his injuries.
“Sometimes medicine and care just isn’t enough,” the rescue group said in a Facebook post at about 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday. “We aren’t done, we aren’t faltering. This just motivates us more to save as many lives as we can. Rest in comfort, sweet boy.”
Meanwhile, Crystal, a black-and-white cat suffering from respiratory distress, has been transferred from Port Jefferson Animal Hospital to the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island in West Islip, and Salem is receiving pain management and medical attention for his burns at the animal hospital in Port Jefferson.
Arsenault’s impact
Animal rescue groups have mobilized to secure safe spaces for the surviving cats, ensuring they receive medical care and, eventually, new homes. Advocates say the overwhelming response from the community has been a testament to the impact Arsenault had in dedicating his life to saving cats in need.
“We are completely devastated at the sight and thought of the situation but know we have to stay strong for the remaining 150+ cats that survived on the property,” Frankie Floridia with Strong Island Animal Rescue posted on Facebook late Monday. “Through the years that we have known Chris, we saved many lives together and today was no different.”
Floridia expressed his sadness over the loss of his friend, Arsenault, who was 65.
“We lost a fellow rescuer that died doing want he loved to do .. saving cats,” he said. “Chris was seen running in and out of the house getting the cats out of the fire — till he could not do it anymore.”
Rescue work continues
Rescuers on Tuesday will continue working to track down and safely trap those sanctuary cats still unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, thousands of people looking for a way to help the effort have reached for their wallets on behalf of the cat sanctuary and the hundreds of cats left homeless by the deadly fire.
Among the support drives is a GoFundMe page established by Lisa Jaeger with Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue Inc. in Port Jefferson. The effort has raised nearly $150,000 through more than 2,700 donations.
“We have over 200 cats that are still being secured and will need vetting, vaccinating, and rescues to step up and help us secure them,” Jaeger wrote on the GoFundMe page.
The cat sanctuary fire broke out about 7:15 a.m. on Monday and was fully involved, authorities said, by the time the first fire trucks arrived. Homicide detectives and arson investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, authorities said.
Top photos: Phoenix, a cat rescued from the fire at Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford, died early Tuesday. He suffered burns across much of his body and face (Facebook, Strong Island Animal Rescue) and Happy Cat founder Chris Arsenault, 65, who died in the fire (GoFundMe).
