Happy Tailz Cat Rescue confirms 27 cats died in the fire, which officials say was sparked by a battery charger.
LEALMAN, Fla. — The number of cats killed as a result of a fire at a Lealman animal rescue has been updated from 14 to 27.
On May 30, the fire burned down the Happy Tailz Cat Rescue on 80th Way North. It was started from a lithium-ion battery charger meant for a handheld scrubber, according to Lealman Fire District Division Chief and Fire Marshal Jim Millican.
Happy Tailz has now confirmed that 27 cats have died from the fire. Thirteen died when they could not be rescued because the “fire spread too fast,” according to the rescue's Facebook page.
Seven of the cats were personal cats of the president of the rescue, who lived onsite. The Facebook post says she was unable to safely get to her room and the cats “died of CO2 poisoning.”
Six cats were euthanized following the fire after suffering from respiratory stress due to smoke inhalation, and two passed away days later also due to smoke inhalation, the rescue said.
The rescue's president was able to get 50 cats and three dogs out of the rescue in time to save them from the fire, according to the Facebook post. All of those animals have been placed into foster homes or taken to other rescues.
Happy Tailz specialized in helping sick and injured cats. The fire not only destroyed the structure of the rescue but also supplies including medicine, prescription foods, and oxygen. Ways to donate to the rescue are listed on its Facebook page. There is also a list of the names of cats lost in the fire.
Two people were taken to the hospital at the time of the fire, including one firefighter, but have since been discharged, according to Millican.
