Learn from LI Happy Cat Sanctuary fire, says cat rescuer

The tragic fire at Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford and the unfortunate death of its owner, Chris Arsenault, should be an eye-opener for all involved in animal rescue and those in our local municipalities who oversee policies and laws for animals. There is no doubt that cats on Long Island have second-rate status in our municipal shelter system. Some towns like North Hempstead do not provide any feline shelter facilities. Cries for a cat shelter there have fallen on deaf ears for more than 20 years.

The number of homeless and feral cats on Long Island is staggering and growing. No one organization or municipal shelter is capable of handling them nor should it have to. But we have to try to do better.

Well-intentioned people like me rescue cats, and can soon become overwhelmed. You see it happening, but there is always that one cat you just cannot turn away. Or a friend, acquaintance, or family member who has a situation that involves taking one or many cats. Soon you have a hundred cats, and you are being harassed by your neighbors and family. That was me 25 years ago.

So you buy an isolated piece of property and try to create an idyllic sanctuary for these cats. Sounds good, right? I thought so.

I was wrong. I had the support of a well-respected animal rescue organization and veterinarians who helped me way beyond the call of duty. I borrowed money, took out loans on my pension, and created my own sanctuary. But many things happened that would bring me close to the breaking point.

Dogs killed my cats, a neighbor shot some, and some were hit by cars. But people kept asking me to take cats and I did, just like Chris. I was working full time in Manhattan and commuting every day. I was given a stipend by my organization to hire people to help with the expenses. I was lucky with some of my help; others were not so good.

With animals to feed and messes to clean, I averaged three hours of sleep and had numerous car accidents because I was so tired at the wheel. I had one wonderful veterinarian who allowed me to come at all hours with sick or injured cats and did not charge me for years. The quality of the cat’s life was always my priority, and I was guided by my vet in making the difficult decision of euthanasia. I had my limitations and would not consider treating cats with diabetes or similar constant-medication scenarios. Most of my cats were feral.

I never visited the Happy Cat Sanctuary, but I am sure Chris faced many of the same challenges. Now at the end of my rescue career, I want future rescuers to know that unless you have unlimited money, reliable help, and realistic veterinarians to provide constant care and guidance, a sanctuary is not the answer to Long Island’s cat crisis.

We need to demand that our elected officials provide adequate cat shelters and progressive low-cost spay-neuter programs for domesticated and feral cats. Long Island is one of the wealthiest areas in the state and country, but we have failed to provide adequately for the cats that are proliferating here. Let’s honor Chris by improving the services we offer to help the feline population on Long Island so tragedies like this never happen again.

This guest essay reflects the views of Linda Stuurman, president of Last Hope Animal Rescue in Wantagh.