Fundraiser set up after fire ruins NY cat sanctuary: 'Devastated and distraught'
Editor's note: The video above aired in a previous newscast.
LONG ISLAND (PIX11)— After tragedy struck a local cat sanctuary on Long Island Monday morning, a GoFundMe has been launched to support Happy Cat Inc.
Christopher Arsenault, 65, and several cats lost their lives in a fire, according to Suffolk County officials. Arsenault was the founder of the sanctuary where the incident occurred.
“Tragedy struck Long Island when HAPPY CAT SANCTUARY was hit with a house fire. Christopher Arsenault, the owner and founder, lost his life while running back into the house trying to free the cats,” reads the fundraiser. “We have over 200 cats that are still being secured and will need vetting, vaccinating, and rescues to step up and help us secure them. Please donate anything you can. We are absolutely devastated and distraught over the loss of Chris and the sanctuary.”
The fire broke out just after 7 a.m. at a residence on Dourland Road near Clifford Lane, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Flames fully engulfed the home, where Arsenault was found dead, according to officials.
Suffolk County police officials confirmed over 100 cats were present during the fire, some of which died and some survived.
“So many heavy hearts after learning of this tragedy. Chris was a true hero who died doing what he did in life, saving cats. Rest in comfort,” read one comment on the fundraiser.
The Suffolk County SPCA and the Town of Brookhaven are working to rehome the surviving cats.
Over $250,000 has been raised thus far. If you are interested in donating, you can do so here.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.