26 survivors of animal-shelter fire find havens in the Chicago ...

Thank you! To all of the rescues of Illinois Animal Rescue Coalition that pulled together to rescue the animals that survived the tragic fire at Franklin County Animal Control in Benton. There are still more animals in need of rescue and many more coming in.
Sally Matay, Rescue Coordinator, Illinois Animal Rescue Coalition
sally@illinoisanimalrescue.org or curtsshorty67@aol.com

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How sad for these poor animals! Although this was an animal shelter fire, which is horrible, the other message is that shelters are over crowded (hence all the relocation efforts) and there are puppies and kittens being born in the shelter itself, in addition to the adult animals looking for a home. Please spay and neuter your animals, and please find it in your heart to adopt from a shelter instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a pet. If you must spend money, donate it to the shelter you adopt your new friend from.

I am disturbed by the growing number of reports of fires killing large numbers of animals in animal control facilities and humane societies. Housing animals is a huge responsibility and administrators must include safety planning, fire suppression, and disaster mitigation in their duties. This was a government facility and should have been constructed and maintained so that a fire would not lead to this kind of damage. Just because the facility housed animals and not children does not reduce the responsibility of the administrators to assure it was safe for its occupants. All shelters and resuce groups should ask themselves if this cold happen to them. If the answer is yes, then now is the time to take preventive action.

I just saw where the State gave Franklin County 25 thousand to rebuild. That's good news.

I am a volunteer at Franklin County Animal Control. I was there until 3 am the morning after the fire trying to help the ones that survived. Many were taken home by myself & employees. I've read the previous comments and agree fully. Neuter & spay your pets & there wouldn't be so many animals in these facilities. The animals that died had done nothing wrong except to be born into an irresponsible & uncaring society.
Also I want to comment that there was no fire alarm or sprinkler system in that building. Had there been most of the animals (if not all) would have survived. Check with your local facilities & make sure they have some protection for their animals. The 25,000.00 donated from the state thanks to Senator Gary Forby is to be partially used for a sprinkler system in the new facility when rebuilt. Thanks Gary for your efforts & a special thanks to the Shelters up north who are still saving our animals

I adopted Miracle 11 days ago from Huntley Animal House. Miracle was 3 weeks old when the shelter burned down. Her mother and brothers and sisters all died in the fire :o( But I'm pleased to announce she is doing fine. She is now 13 weeks old and, she is a bundle of joy. I'm so happy that I could provide her with a safe new home. And she gave me a great companion for life.

Good for you and Miracle!

This is really sad, but is well-written.