On Monday, a man who operated a sanctuary for rescued and mistreated cats met a heroic end as a fire ravaged the safe haven he managed for felines in New York State. The tragic incident occurred at the Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford, Long Island, as reported by the Suffolk County Police Department. The victim of the fire, identified as 65-year-old Chris Arsenault, along with numerous cats, lost their lives in the blaze that took place at the single-family residence.
During a press conference on Monday, Chief of Detectives William Doherty disclosed that over 100 deceased and surviving cats were discovered at the scene. Friends and officials remembered Arsenault as a selfless individual, with Amanda Rumble, the founder of Community Cat Care in Michigan, praising him for his unwavering dedication to saving feline lives. The tragic loss of Arsenault has left the rescue community in sorrow, as he was actively working on relocating the sanctuary to a new and improved facility.
Following multiple 911 calls, police officers responded to the Medford sanctuary at around 7:15 a.m., where they found Arsenault’s body and a significant number of deceased cats. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death. Homicide and arson units are currently investigating the origins of the fire, with Christopher J. Mehrman, the chief fire marshal for the Town of Brookhaven, hinting at legal matters surrounding the cats and the sanctuary.
Lisa Jaeger from Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue Inc., a non-profit organization leading the rescue efforts for the surviving cats, described Arsenault’s brave attempts to save the animals before succumbing to the flames. The rescued cats are now under the care of the Strong Island Animal Rescue League, with an urgent call for foster homes to accommodate the displaced felines. The tragedy has shaken the rescue community, urging for support to honor Arsenault’s legacy and continue his mission.
Happy Cat Sanctuary, known for sheltering cats from various traumatic backgrounds, provided a safe haven for over 200 felines in need of care and affection. The facility ensured that all cats were spayed or neutered, received proper veterinary attention, and were available for adoption to loving homes. The devastating fire marks a heartbreaking chapter in the sanctuary’s history, leaving many to mourn the loss of both a hero and beloved feline companions.
Chris Arsenault, who tragically lost his son in a motorcycle crash in 2006, dedicated his life to rescuing and caring for hundreds of cats. Following the loss of his son, Arsenault stumbled upon a group of 30 sick kittens, which he rescued and nursed back to health. This experience led him to establish Happy Cat Sanctuary, where he continued his mission to save cats in need. An online fundraiser set up to support the sanctuary had raised nearly $150,000 as of Tuesday morning. The sanctuary currently houses over 200 cats that require medical attention, vaccinations, and assistance from rescue organizations. Tragically, Chris Arsenault and 100 cats perished in a fire at the sanctuary on Long Island.
