Long Island, NY – On Monday, a devastating fire killed approximately 100 cats and Chris Arsenault, the owner/founder of the Happy Cat Sanctuary, who died while trying to save the cats trapped in the flames. Though the blaze claimed the lives of a staggering number of cats, some did survive, albeit with terrible injuries.

The Strong Island Animal Rescue League took in three of the burned cats with the hope that they could be saved. The rescue agency said that three cats, Salem, Crystal, and Phoenix, went to Jefferson Animal Hospital for care.

Hopes were high for the cats’ survival, but devastating news was shared with the rescue group’s Facebook followers on Tuesday morning about one of the cats. The agency said:

Early this morning, with Erica by his side, Phoenix left to join Chris on the other side.
Sometimes medicine and care just isn’t enough.
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

Efforts remain underway for the other survivors. You can follow the efforts at this link to the rescue group and learn more about how you can donate toward the veterinary expenses to help these cats recover.

Prior article about this tragic fire here.

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