Devastating News Out Of Jacksonville (Gainesville, Mayo: credit card, transfer, live in)

[FedUpInFtMyers]

Hello all. I received this troubling email from my cousin who lives in Jax. It is as follows:

As some of you may know - the Jax Humane Society burned overnight on Saturday around 2:00 AM. It is devastating. They need immediate contributions of cash if anyone can help. Mostly for medical supplies. I went down there Saturday and most of the building is lost. Our Mayor Peyton was down there as well - that's how serious this is. Most if not all the cats were lost (they found three cats still alive in the cat cabana - a free range area for older cats, who were burned and I don't know if they will make it), many animals in isolation (where they come in before they can be adopted out), and many puppies all lost. The cats and puppies were housed in the center of the building where the roof caved in and where most of the damage occurred - cry. Most of the dogs were saved thankfully due to the heroics of the Jax Fire Fighters who were able to get to the outdoor kennels and save most of the dogs - only two are missing, and they are thought to have survived only they're running loose somewhere in the vicinity. JHS lost all their offices/administration building, the cattery and the entire building lost most of the roof which collapsed in. If any one has a desire to help, cash donations can be made through Wachovia (Jacksonville Humane Society Fund) or through the thrift store at Beach Boulevard. Please pass this along to anyone who might help. Thanks - Vicki

If you know me you know this is a major heart string for me. I keep thinking about all my animals I have fostered in the past and my own three JHS cats. People where in shock when I went down there...asking about dogs and puppies they had on hold and were supposed to pick up that day, etc. Heart breaking. Even the two staffers I spoke with seemed numb. Thanks everyone.

For you out of towners, go to Jax4news.com or FirstCoastnews.com
Also YouTube has some firefighter footage.

Story below:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A massive fire overnight destroyed the Jacksonville Humane Society on Beach Boulevard.

According to the Jacksonville Fire-Rescue Department, the fire broke out about 2 a.m. The roof of one of the buildings collapsed in flames.

"The firefighters immediately began pulling dogs out of the kennels left and right to the best of their abilities and as quickly as possible," fire department spokesman Tom Francis said.

Officials said all but two of the dogs were rescued, but many of the cats did not make it out alive.

"Knowing that animals that were here in our care died in our care in a no-kill shelter breaks our heart," executive director Leona Sheddon said.

Sheddon said that about 200 animals were in the shelter when the fire broke out. She praised the fire department for saving as many lives as they did.

"We thank ever so much the extra effort the fire department made in saving all the animals they could," Sheddon said. "In fact, several firefighters suffered injuries -- not life-threatening injuries -- in saving animals, and certainly they are heroes to us."

Four firefighters were hospitalized with minor injuries. The most seriously injured was in the building when the roof collapses. He was transferred to the Shands-Gainesville burn unit.

In addition to losing animals and kennel facilities, Sheddon said the Humane Society lost medical equipment and its supply of medications.

Fire investigators said it appeared the fire was accidental and began in the laundry room.

Francis said the shelter is a complete loss with replacement cost estimated at $1 million.

On Monday, a Humane Society Fire Fund account will be available for donations at all Wachovia Bank branches.

Sheddon said the Humane Society's thrift store on Beach Boulevard and Foster Drive will also accept cash, check and credit card donations.

The Red Cross also responded to the scene to provide mental health counseling to anyone who needed it.

[riveree]

Oh, how heartbreaking! Fedup, do you happen to know where the dogs are being housed now? We are a household of rescue/rehabs, I really feel for these poor animals.

[Jammie]

Oh how awful!!! Those poor little animals, first they're homeless and then at least had a place to stay and have food. Now they're homeless again.

[riveree]

If everyone would spay and neuter their dogs and cats, so much of this would be resolved....oh, don't get me started about irresponsible pet owners!

[HIF]

The number of animals euthanized in Duval is abhorrent, the department is understaffed and can't even keep up with placing animals with volunteer foster families, instead putting animals down.

It's tragic what happened to the Humane Society.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by hereinfla

Maybe from this can come a dialog about the city of Jacksonville's dirty little secret.

I've been rather blown away by the disregard for animals here in north Florida.
Maybe some good will come from this tragic event.
Those poor dogs, and all those kitties.
And the people!
That kind of animal care is hard, hard work. I really feel for all the people who devote so much of themselves to the Humane Society.

[FedUpInFtMyers]

Jammie: The majority of the animals that were at JHS were not fortunate enough to become homeless again. Most of them suffered in cages while they died from smoke inhalation or fire. This news is so heartbreaking.

[HIF]

There were about 100 cats in the shelter and only one was found in the parking lot.

City of Jax Animal Care & Control will be even more overburdened. If anyone is willing and able to foster some of the animals at AC&C, the forms are available online at coj.net

[riveree]

Some companies may be starting to match their employee's donations. My husband's company announced such a match today (so we will be going that route).

Hopefully we'll see more employers start to make these announcements in the next few days.

[Karla with a K]

thanks for the heads up riveree I will ask my husband if his company is doing this
we were going to be making a donation but if they will match it that will make it even better .
karla