Fire at cat rescue kills founder and 100 cats

[Catherine]

Christopher Arsenault founded Happy Cats Sanctuary in 2006. He housed around 300 cats. A fire broke out Monday morning. 
Christopher kept going back in to try and save as many cats as he could. The last time he went in, he didn't come back.
He was found dead later, along with about 100 cats. About 200 made it out. Other local rescue groups are on scene to take in the surviving cats and care for their  needs.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/animal-sanctua...=120369915

This is a very sad loss. The world has lost a beautiful caring animal lover and many cats died with him.
He died doing what mattered to him, he was rescuing cats. 
He was in the process of moving to a bigger property where he could have a better shelter.
Sadly those plans may have ended with the loss of Christopher.

[Aussienan]

I saw this in a news feed what a horrible thing to happen there was talk it was deliberately lit I hope not.

[Catherine]

The rescue efforts still go on. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/hap...ng-island/

I did not realize how elaborate the shelter was. It seems to have had a number of buildings.
They think cats are still hiding in the complex. The community response is incredible. They are getting supplies, volunteers, anything they need.
All the cats that can be found will be found and treated.

So far they have no information on the cause. I would hate to think that it was deliberate.
The community response is so positive that is seems unlikely that it was deliberate.
I am sure they will investigate thoroughly.

I wonder  if they will be able to keep the shelter going. They had a board of directors and some structure.
It would be a fitting tribute to the founder if they could open the new shelter that he planned.

If I find out anything else, I will post it.

[Aussienan]

I just copied Lisa is on a tireless mission taking over from Chris on the cats update.
This is from Lisa's FB page,
Happy Cat Sanctuary update: Jaeger's Run Animal Rescue Inc. is here with an amazing group of people. We've set up a command station at the house next door Frankie John Floridia is in the process of pulling cats out of the back that were burned in the fire. Paws of War Is here with their mobile clinic assessing the cats as they're coming out. The game plan now is just to take out the injured animals. We have most of the sanctuary secured. We are setting up a makeshift sanctuary in a warehouse in Holbrook where all the cats will be set up in their own individual cages with a carrier, food and litter box. Once we have all 150 to 200 cats secured at this facility we will have a vet come in and vet vaccinate snap test microchip and do blood work on every one of the cats. I know there's a lot of people out here that want to help but right now we just need your prayers. There are two donation portals. One is here with my rescue and the other one is our GoFundMe page.
Please spread the word!
And please say a prayer for Chris and his family.
Details at this link,
https://www.facebook.com/JaegerTeam this from their Facebook post.

[Catherine]

The rescue community is really coming together to help out. I am amazed at the coordination and cooperation that is going on.
They are going to find and rescue every cat they can. I am glad you found the Facebook page. It tells us so much more about what is happening.

They have determined the fire was not arson. They are not sure of the actual cause yet, they will figure it out.

https://nypost.com/2025/04/04/us-news/ha...officials/

You can see it in people's faces how deeply effected they are. Losing Christopher has been hard on those who knew him. They are determined to save the cats that he rescue, the cate he gave his life trying to save. I hope they can carry on his work somehow.

[Aussienan]

Those poor cats they've already had a rough start to life now this,and that poor mans family and friends,he'll be there to meet a lot of cats over The Rainbow Bridge.

[Catherine]

Even after the fire, the cats are still roaming the sanctuary grounds. They have set up feeding stations and they are determined to find them all.
Happy Cat Sanctuary was probably the only time in their lives the cats were properly cared for.


Happy Cat Sanctuary fire on Long Island not considered suspicious, officials say - CBS New York

Chris dedicated his life to the cats and in the end died trying to save them.
He crossed the Rainbow Bridge with a hundred feline friends. That is quite an event.

I think the only way to cope with losing someone like Chris is to make sure his work carries on.
I don't know how this can happen, but at very least the other rescue groups will carry on his work.
Maybe people will be inspired to adopt some of the cats. It would be beautiful if they all found
forever homes. Chris is gone, but he will not be forgotten.