Animal Shelter Fire in Quebec Leaves More Than 70 Animals Dead

An animal shelter fire in Quebec left more than 70 animals dead when the shelter was destroyed Monday night.

Firefighters rescued a dozen or so dogs, but only six of them survived, CBC News reported. The SpcA I’Ouaouais is now caring for the surviving dogs, the agency said Wednesday.

Three dogs from the Martin County Shelter in Kentucky were among the survivors, the group posted on Facebook, WYMT reported. The dogs had been sent to the Quebec shelter last weekend.

“The staff and volunteers put their hearts and souls into this organization each and every day ... to say that the last 30 hours have been difficult and devastating is an understatement. There are simply no words to describe our incredible loss and sadness,” a press release by the SPCA said, the CBC reported.

What kinds of animals died in the fire was not immediately clear, and the cause of the fire is under investigation, the CBC reported. 

Calls to rebuild the shelter have already begun, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to collect donations after the fire.

Twitter was active in supporting the shelter and mourning the animals killed in the fire.

Animal shelters must have 24/7 protection. You can’t leave humans alone. More than 70 animals dead in Quebec SPCA firehttps://t.co/b1TR50qZbx ⁦@animalrights⁩ ⁦@animalrescuers⁩ ⁦@AnimalPlanet⁩ ⁦@MercyForAnimals⁩ pic.twitter.com/PlISOpGhDy

— Philip Powel Smith (@mrphilps) July 4, 2018

Tragic & complete devistation of #SPCA in Western Quebec Canada. This remarkable non kill #RESCUE & rehabilitation center lost #dogs & #cats to a night fire after a T-storm. #Gatineau #Aylmer #Quebec Please pledge to rebuild. pic.twitter.com/qkVkfZ24iV

— Mark Barker (@hathamark) July 3, 2018

This is so heartbreaking. I can’t stop thinking about these poor animals. https://t.co/JttSaPT8Ua

— Karen Heese (@karenheese) July 5, 2018

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