04/01/2025
Such a horrific tragedy 💔 RIP Chris, Phoenix and all the cats who perished in this horrible fire. I believe that Jaeger's Run Animal Rescue Inc. is collecting donations to help care for the surviving cats.
Yesterday a horrible horrible tragedy befell a fellow rescuer, Chris Arsenault 65 who ran Happy Cat Sanctuary in Long Island, NY. It is reported that at 7:15am a blaze broke out at his home and sanctuary that took the lives of an unknown number of cats and Chris as well. More than 100 cats have been reported to have been lost in the blaze. Chris is reported to have been going in and out of the roaring fire to rescue the cats. As he entered one more time, he became trapped in the fire, never to exit again alive. Chris died along with the very cats he had rescued. Words to describe the enormity of the catastrophe escape me.
Although I never met Chris, I followed his social media posts closely and watched with interest all he accomplished. He recently purchased a parcel of land in NY State and built a bigger facility for the cats. I marveled at his enthusiasm and boyish innocence as he defended himself against heartless critics. He tried so hard to make sure everyone understood who he was and what he did. Chris seemed genuine, sincere and most of all kind to the many many cats he gave sanctuary to. Always interested in what motivates people to rescue cats, I read that Chris began rescuing cats in 2006 after the tragic loss of his 24 year old son in a motorcycle accident. Rescuing cats helped him through that loss and gave his life a renewed purpose.
Yesterday I watched in horror as the events of the day in Medford, NY unfolded. Fire Departments, cat rescues, emergency responders all descended on his home with hope of rescuing again the cats who had found a happy home at Happy Cat Rescue. I watched as Phoenix the cat pictured below was rescued and brought to the hospital. I learned sadly this morning that Phoenix passed too. It was all just too much.
I hope those that targeted his efforts with relentless criticism and added unnecessary stress and anxiety to the final days of a good samaritan, come to terms with the impact they had on a human life. They have no chance of ameliorating their actions. Instead of lifting each other up, I find too often people try to tear each other down to no one's benefit.
Rest in Peace Chris. Rest in Peace Phoenix. May all the nameless cats lost in that fire, rest in peace.
