A fire in the basement of a Stevensville home operating as an animal sanctuary has claimed the lives of 31 cats.
Firefighters were called to Happy Days Sanctuary on Burger Road shortly after 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Fort Erie Fire and Emergency Services Chief Mark Schmitt said the fire started in a utility room and is believed to have been caused by a mechanical failure of some kind.
Located on 14 hectares of land, the sanctuary provides shelter, medical care and permanent homes for dogs, cats, goats, horses and other animals left behind in a crisis.
Schmitt said some of the animals in the home were undergoing treatment or were disabled and thus unable to get out on their own.
“Unfortunately, there were a number of cats involved that perished,” he said, putting the number at about 30.
He said firefighters were able to rescue about 10.
There were no injuries among people.
The fire was contained to the utility room and was extinguished within an hour, Schmitt said.
Fort Erie SPCA was been called in, as were provincial animal welfare services.
Carlie Brennan, kennel co-ordinator for the SPCA, said the agency attended the scene and offered to assist the sanctuary owner with care of the surviving cats, some of which were receiving oxygen as a result of smoke inhalation.
She said there were cats that required medical attention or screening, and the SPCA offered to transport them to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic in Thorold.
The offer was declined, Brennan said.
“Anything and everything she needed, we were there to help,” she said. “But she refused.”
In a statement, sanctuary owner Ann Swinson said that while the offer was declined, it was not a refusal of assistance.
“We had already executed our own emergency plan, mobilizing private vehicles and volunteers who were ready to transport the animals.”
She said a total of 43 cats were affected by the incident.
“Tragically, 31 cats perished but, thankfully, 12 cats were successfully rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Stoney Creek,” Swinson said, adding they were immediately tested, treated with antibiotics and have been stabilized.
She said the people who run the sanctuary are “heartbroken” by the loss.
“We are deeply grateful for the efforts of all the emergency services personnel who responded,” she said. “Our focus now remains on the continued care of the surviving cats and maintaining our full co-operation with the ongoing investigation.”
A spokesperson for Town of Fort Erie said the SPCA was contacted by the fire department and that the town’s bylaw department attended to assist. The investigation was handed over to Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS).
On Tuesday, Brent Ross, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which is responsible for enforcing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, said the sanctuary was inspected and no further action was required.
“Animal Welfare Services conducted an inspection at this location and the 12 remaining animals were given appropriate veterinary care related to the fire,” he said. “All animals were well-cared for and remain in the possession of the rescue.”