ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It has been a tough week for Pet Alliance.
Employees of the animal shelter have been working long days ever since last Wednesday night’s fire that killed more than a dozen animals.
Rebuilding and recovery efforts are underway and Pet Alliance said they would not have been able to recover so quickly if it wasn’t for the community’s help.
READ: ‘Heck of a ride’: SpaceX’s Inspiration4 crew returns safely to Earth after historic mission
Donations keep pouring in, and the animals are finding their “furever” homes.
The public vet clinic, business office and shelter have been written off as a total loss after Wednesday night’s fire.
Firefighters managed to rescue 45 cats and 26 dogs from the burning building. Sadly, dozens of cats died in the fire.
Now recovery continues.
“I don’t even remember what day it is,” said Pet Alliance Development Director Kathy Rodgers.
She also said it’s thanks to people across Central Florida, that they’ve been able to get back on their feet.
READ: Eye on the Tropics: Tropical Storm Peter forms in the Atlantic
Fundraising efforts helped collect more than $500,000 in donations, along with multiple truckloads of food and other pet supplies.
“This is just Orlando being Orlando. You know, everybody’s coming together and rallying around us. It’s just overwhelming, and the outpouring of support, it’s just overwhelming. It’s been so amazing.”
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our community 🧡 Your words of kindness and sympathy mean so much. Here are some ways you can be a part of our journey to recovery: pic.twitter.com/HJt1mmA2r5
— Pet Alliance Orlando (@petallianceGO) September 17, 2021
Rodgers said so many people have lent a hand that they’re pausing on physical donations.
Pet Alliance is looking forward to sharing with other neighboring agencies as they look to help the animals that survived.
Pet Alliance held an adoption event at PetSmart on Saturday.
READ: Hundreds gather for Florida Puerto Rican Parade & Festival in downtown Orlando
“All the dogs that were taken there were adopted and we’ve also had people adopting from our Stanford location, and I heard that 50 animals were adopted yesterday so people are definitely coming to help us move some of those animals out of the shelter,” Rodgers said.
Even though Pet Alliance has paused donations on physical items, they are still accepting cash to help with rebuilding.
READ: Flagler County deputies warn residents to beware of rise in puppy scams
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your smart TV.
©2021 Cox Media Group
