ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide. Founded in 1992, ANIMAL PEOPLE has no alignment or affiliation with any other entity.

 

This site built and maintained by: GREANVILLE ASSOCIATESand CRESCENT COMMUNICATIONS •Rev. 12.1.05 Copyright ANIMAL PEOPLE, INC. 1992--2006

 

 

 

 

 
   

 
powered by FreeFind

ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

MONTH: May 2007

Fires destroy three animal shelters
in three weeks

 

Thirty-foot flames erupting at about 2:00 a.m. from a laundry area razed the Jacksonville Humane Society on April 7, 2007, killing 67 cats and 18 dogs, chief operating officer Danya Parks-Freel told Matt Galnor of the Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville Fire & Rescue spokesperson Tom Francis said a fire captain suffered burns and other firefighters had to be pulled from the wreckage after the roof collapsed as they tried to open cages and carry animals to safety. Firefighters reportedly adopted many animals on the spot. A separate veterinary clinic and runs for about 50 dogs were reportedly the only facilities that remained useable --but executive director Leona Sheddan had kept backup computer files off site, enabling a rapid resumption of most activities. Owning 27 acres, the humane society hoped to rebuild and expand. The city of Jacksonville has meanwhile planned to build a $9 million new animal care and control center. Mayoral spokesperson Susie Wiles told Galnor that the city would be interested in discussing a joint project with the humane society, which has been no-kill since 2005.

Thirty dogs, 20 cats, and 14 birds were killed by smoke from a March 28, 2007 fire at Rocky's Fund/ Welcome Home Sanctuary, operated since 1992 by Mindy Washington, 48, at her home in Southampton, New York. Southampton chief fire marshal Cheryl Kraft told Susana Enriquez of Newsday that the fire started near a refrigerator. "There was a large amount of hair in the area that allowed the fire to spread," explained Kraft.

Twenty-three cats were killed, 12 were rescued, and five unaccounted for after a March 18, 2007 fire at Strays Unlimited, operated by Paulette Hepworth and Vincent Gugliuzza from their home in New Haven, Connecticut. The fire appeared to be of electrical origin, investigator Roy Shafer told Izaskun E. Larraneta of the New Haven Day.