Police: Fire at Medford animal sanctuary kills man and multiple cats
Animal rescue teams went to the scene to secure the area with fencing and assist with the surviving cats.
More Stories
A fire at a Medford home that serves as an animal sanctuary killed a man and multiple cats, police say.
The fire broke out on Dourland Road in Medford around 7:15 a.m., authorities said.
Neighbors tell News 12 the flames from the fire looked uncontrollable.
"It was as bad as I'd ever seen in a long time. It's like a woods fire,” said Fred Mack, of Medford. “I didn't think they were gonna put it out, that's how bad it was."
Police said 65-year-old Christopher Arsenault died in the fire.
Arsenault’s home was the site of “Happy Cat Sanctuary,” a cat rescue that Arsenault’s friends say was his world.
“He gave everything to these animals,” said Lisa Jaeger, a Happy Cat Sanctuary board member. "He gave his life to save these cats. He actually went back in the house when it was burning to get the cats out."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Some cats did survive, though the exact number of deceased and living is unclear.
Sanctuary board members tell News 12 at least 100 cats may have died in the fire while between 150 to 200 survived.
Suffolk SPCA Peace Officer Michael Cusumano says the SPCA is working with other animal rescues to coordinate the rescue efforts of the surviving cats.
"Try to find a good home for all the animals, have them safely removed, have them cared for, have them checked by a medical facility,” he said.
Back in 2016, News 12 got a look at the sanctuary.
Arsenault started caring for cats in 2007 after his son died in a motorcycle crash.
Frank Floridia, of the Strong Island Animal Rescue League, said the sanctuary was Arsenault’s life’s work.
"Chris had a great heart. He was a good guy. He dedicated his life to the animals," he said.
Other animal rescues, like Hearts of Love Cat Rescue & Adoption, also stepped in to lend a helping hand in any way they can.
"For Chris's legacy, for what he worked all his life for, to help animals,” said Dawn Donaghey, of Hearts of Love Cat Rescue & Adoption.
The sanctuary was in the process of moving cats upstate to a new location prior to the fire.
Rescue workers say Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue, North Fork Country Kids, and Strong Island Animal Rescue are the main entities working to foster and rehabilitate the cats.
Find out how you can support their efforts and donate to the Happy Cat Sanctuary here.
