GULFPORT – (AP) An anonymous donor will cover the costs of adoptions at an animal shelter damaged by fire Monday night in Gulfport.
The building had extensive smoke and water damage, but no animals were seriously hurt in the fire at the Humane Society of South Mississippi.
Krystyna Szczechowski, a marketing specialist, said the shelter usually charges $50 to $100 for adoption fees, but the donor will pick up those costs.
“The anonymous donor’s help is a blessing,” she said.
The shelter also announced it has stopped taking in animals until officials can assess fire damages.
The shelter has been housing about 245 animals, with about 170 of those available for adoption. The others are stray pets or are being held in the shelter in court disputes.
“In light of what could have been a real tragedy, we are thankful that no one was harmed, both two-legged and four,” said Tara High, the shelter’s executive director. “But now we have to go down a road of recovery and like many of the challenges we have faced before, we know the community will help and support us during this time of crisis.”
Five trucks and 16 firefighters responded to the blaze on 25th Avenue, Chief Michael Beyerstedt said. He investigated the fire and thinks it started when hot laundry touched a plastic bag.
David Waltman, direction of operations for the Humane Society, said an employee was checking the doors and “thank God she did. That’s when she found the fire.”
Some 30 Humane Society employees and their family members came to the shelter once they heard about the fire. The employees have been cleaning up the shelter, Waltman said.
“There’s a lot of water on the floor,” he said. “So I know the sprinklers are working.”
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