More Than 35 Animals Die in Shelter Fire, Cause Believed to Be Electrical

Photo Credit: Deborah Young

Late Monday morning, a handful of volunteers and staff at the Sweetpea Friends of Rutland Animals shelter in Paxton were standing knee-deep in water, looking for the bodies of the dozens of animals killed in a devastating fire there last night.

At least 35 dogs and cats perished in the shelter fire that broke out around midnight.

“I have been there for hours taking bodies out,” said volunteer Deborah Young, who works closely with Sweetpea through fundraising efforts with her dog Juno. “This is disgusting and heartbreaking.”

Young said that the cause is believed to be electrical.

“The place is just done,” said Young. “They lost every animal in the building except for four. One died on the way to the hospital. Some of the little puppies that we were playing with yesterday are gone.”

Sweetpea reported that as of this morning, dogs named Brooklyn Skye, Jade and Divinci are at vet in stable condition. A dog at the shelter who is named Stella is currently at critical condition and was rushed to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Grafton. “Kitten” the cat, who also survived the fire, is stable.

Young said that people are streaming to the shelter, dropping off money and supplies, and asking how they can help. This morning, as she got out of her car, a man handed her rolls of paper towels (which is on the wish list) and $100.

“People are trying to do things to help,” she said.

A Facebook group has been set up to coordinate fundraising efforts to help Sweetpea rebuild and recover from the fire.

Anyone wishing to donate to Sweetpea can also do so through its website by clicking on “donate.”

“We are still digging through cages and ashes and pulling out pieces of animals,” said Young. “Several fire departments helped, but they just left the animals there.

“Sweetpea is run by a family. It’s run by heart, and it’s not corporate. They are going to rebuild and they will come back better. They never give up on anybody. This is one of the few no-kill shelters in Massachusetts.”

A vigil is being held on Monday at 7 p.m. at the shelter.

Visit Patch for updates on fundraising efforts to assist Sweetpea.