IN MCCONNELL/TORONTO STAR

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Rocko the husky, playing at his new shelter, was one of eight dogs, two cats and a rat rescued by firefighters at the Durham Region Humane Society on Dec. 17, 2008. Most of the victims were cats who died while still in their sleep. Email story
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PHOTOS: From the scene of the fire Dec 18, 2008 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (13)
Carola Vyhnak
staff reporter

"Tipsy didn't make it."

The tragic news, delivered by a tearful animal welfare worker, greeted the chihuahua's new owner yesterday following an early morning fire that destroyed Durham Region Humane Society's shelter and claimed the lives of 150 cats, three dogs and several rabbits and rodents.

Tipsy, recently rescued from an abusive situation, had been at the shelter awaiting a spaying operation before going to her new home with an adoptive couple next week.

"I hate God right now," the man cried as he broke the news to his wife outside Oshawa Animal Services' shelter on Farewell St., where several animals saved from the fire were taken.

Eight dogs, two cats and a rat named Baby Barnard were rescued by firefighters before the inferno engulfed the overcrowded shelter in a rundown industrial building in south Oshawa. The victims perished from smoke inhalation.

"We could hear the dogs barking when we got there," said Platoon Chief Neil Crouter of Oshawa Fire Services. "There were leashes inside the door so the firefighters grabbed them, then grabbed the dogs and handed them to police at the door."

Crouter said the dogs were further away from the fire, which was raging in the front part of the building, and that firefighters had barely enough time to grab a couple of cats in cages, he said.

The other cats were "already gone," overcome by smoke long before the flames reached them, he said.

"At least they were asleep and didn't feel anything."

Police officers comforted the rescued animals and kept them warm in their cruisers while firefighters battled the blaze, which broke out around 2:15 a.m.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Damage to the 2,400-square-foot facility on Waterloo St. is estimated at $250,000.

Two sobbing teenagers placed red and white carnations in front of the building's charred remains as shelter employees and volunteers gathered to grieve the lost creatures.

"We had a bond with each other," said a shaken Debby Houghton, the animal cruelty officer who rescued 8-year-old Tipsy during a recent investigation.

"I kept her in my office and put a little coat on her to take her out."

Another victim was an 18-year-old poodle who was still waiting for a new home.

"All my guys are gone," said Betty Hill, a volunteer who helped care for 30 cats. "I had two favourites: Cuteness and Tucker. They were real lap cats who just hung around your feet like little puppy dogs."

A grief counsellor was brought in to help staff members and volunteers deal with the tragedy.

But it was all wagging tails and excited barking at the Farewell St. shelter, where the rescued dogs got big hugs from grateful animal workers. The cats were taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment for smoke inhalation.

"They're doing great. They're excited to get out," said volunteer dog walker Erika Oehlschlager, 18, as she struggled to hang on to Flash and Ruby, 4-year-old part border collie siblings whose previous owner had given them up to move to a condo.

Escaping the fire was a second lucky break for Bailey, a young golden retriever mix.

Shelter staff found him tied to a fence where he'd been left three frigid nights ago.

The Toronto Humane Society sent food, supplies and offers to help find homes for the rescued animals.

Meanwhile, the Durham organization, which relies solely on donations, will temporarily have to work out of the Oshawa Animal Services' Farewell St. office.

The humane society has been trying for years to find a decent shelter to replace the Waterloo St. building they occupied for 20 years.

"It was too small and crowded and not the best place for us," said shelter manager Ruby Richards. "We're desperate for land so we can build our own but nobody will sell it to us."

Monetary donations can be made via their website, humanedurham.com, or by contacting the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-668-7722, ext. 323.



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Close the place down
I understand how the shelter needs to hosue these poor souls, but in deplorable conditions?? How is this any different than those horrible kennels that get busted. The animals when found should be taken to a place where they're safe if this place cannot hold them.