In the early morning hours of Thursday, March 16, the Washburn County Area Humane Society's Animal Shelter suffered a devastating fire resulting in extensive damage to the building. Because of an ongoing investigation of this fire, the cause has not yet been determined. Ten cats and two dogs were rescued and taken to the Spooner Veterinary Clinic for care and observation but, unfortunately, two cats lost their lives in the fire, and one kitten is still missing. WCAHS was able to coordinate the transfer of all the rescued animals, with the exception of two cats that were kept at the Clinic for further care, to the Northwoods Animal Shelter in Hayward who had generously offered their assistance.
The WCAHS Board and Shelter employees are very thankful for the three employees of T & T Tool, Inc., who were responsible for detecting and reporting the fire, the professionally performed efforts of the members of the Spooner Fire Department in controlling and extinguishing the fire, the Spooner Police Department who provided assistance and security both the night of the fire and days after, and the good Samaritans who assisted in removing and transporting the animals to the Spooner Veterinary Clinic where the Staff gave their kind and caring effort to these traumatized animals and have also offered to collect donations for the Shelter.
Arrangements are being made at this time to enable the Washburn County Area Humane Society Animal Shelter to continue operating in a temporary location. Phone calls may still be made to the same shelter number, 715-635-4720, mail may still be sent to the 1400 Cottonwood Avenue, Spooner, WI 54801 address, and the shelter website is now WCAHUMANESOCIETY@gmail.com.
The overwhelming outpouring of concern and support from so many kind individuals prompted the need to set up a variety of ways to collect donations to reestablish the animal shelter. Donations may be dropped off at the Spooner Veterinary Clinic, or a check mailed to the shelter address shown above, or through the GoFundMe account set up on the shelter website.
Fundraising efforts will be very important throughout the next several months, and many thoughtful offers and ideas are being discussed. Several weeks ago, prior to the fire, the WCAHS was selected as one of three charities to receive the shared proceeds from the Spooner Chamber of Commerce's Food and Wine Tasting event to be held on Thursday, April 27, from 5-8 PM.
Because it is obvious this shelter is so important to so many, there will be continuing updates regarding the shelter news, progress, and needs on the shelter website and Facebook for all you wonderful, generous, kind-hearted WCAHS supporters.
Last Update: Mar 20, 2017 8:41 am CDT
