The cats were trapped and rescued by ACC (Council Member Robert Holden)
April 4, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan
Animal Care Centers of NYC has rescued 32 cats from a Maspeth home after the house caught on fire two weeks ago.
The fire broke out on the first floor of the house, located at 60-26 55th St., during the early hours of March 20. A team of 60 firefighters responded to the scene around 4:30 a.m., taking them about an hour to get the fire under control.
While the extent of the damage to the house has not yet been determined, four of the firefighters suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, an FDNY spokesperson said.
The fire began on the first floor of the two-story home. (Council Member Robert Holden)
The owner of the home was thought to have been living in the building, a representative for ACC said, and the cats appeared to be well taken care of. In the days following the fire, however, the owner died of an apparent suicide.
ACC entered the home on March 23, and began setting out traps to rescue the cats. To date, 32 cats have been taken in by the organization.
Since their rescue, one cat has been adopted and 11 have been placed in foster homes through partnering rescue organizations. Twelve of the rescued cats are currently available for adoption while ACC is continuing to work with the remaining cats on behavioral issues.
Council Member Robert Holden’s office has taken an interest in the rescued animals and is in communication with ACC to ensure that all of the cats find homes. Holden’s office has also said they were planning an adoption event for the homeless felines, but due to an overwhelming response from community members looking to foster and adopt the cats, it may no longer be necessary.
For more information on the available cats, visit the ACC website.
