More than 100 cats and dogs recovering after fire erupts at P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park

Animals recovering after Tinley Park shelter fire, donations needed

A fire at P.A.W.S. Tinley Park led to the rescue of dozens of cats and dogs. Now, the four-legged friends are recovering at a local animal hospital.

TINLEY PARK, Ill. - A fire at P.A.W.S. Tinley Park led to the rescue of dozens of cats and dogs. Now, the four-legged friends are recovering at a local animal hospital.

The more than 100 animals are expected to survive – thanks to the quick actions of volunteers and veterinarians on Wednesday.

Currently, they are recuperating at Midwest Animal Hospital in Orland Park, where they will remain for at least 48 hours of observation. Some suffered smoke inhalation due to the fire, and several cats are still receiving oxygen.

"We’re quite overwhelmed, still a little bit in shock," said Terri Buckley, president, P.A.W.S. Tinley Park. "But we’re also very overwhelmed with just the generosity of the communities."

Community members responded swiftly upon learning of the incident, providing blankets, towels, and other necessities to aid the shelter. The outpouring of generosity began within hours of the fire on Wednesday and continued throughout the day Thursday.

The mound of donations left outside P.A.W.S. Tinley Park offers just a glimpse of how the community is rallying around the shelter.

"Something like this kind of reaffirms that there are good people," said Mark Favre, volunteer & board member, P.A.W.S. Tinley Park.

Favre says he spent much of the day at the shelter Wednesday. Not too long after he returned home, he got an urgent call to return.

Around 6:30 p.m., the shelter's dryer caught on fire.

"Luckily we don't run the washer and dryer unless there are volunteers here, and thank God for that, because it really went up and it went up fast," said Buckley.

Volunteers called 911 and began rushing more than 100 cats and dogs to safety.

While the fire was contained to the laundry room, smoke still filled the shelter.

Team members from Midwest Animal Hospital responded and started treatment on scene.

Now, the animals are getting some much-needed rest at the hospital.

"They’re doing just fine, we’re monitoring them, we worked through the night to make sure they’re okay, and they’re resting comfortably," said Brittany Davis, hospital manager, Midwest Animal Hospital.

Neighbors are not slowing down either and have continued to bring donations to the hospital as well.

"It’s such a beautiful thing to see how many people are invested in animals, in their care, in P.A.W.S., it’s a great thing to see the community come together," said Davis.

The P.A.W.S. Board of Directors met Thursday evening to discuss next steps.

Buckley tells FOX 32 Chicago they will need to replace the damaged dryer. The extensive soot also necessitates repainting, replacing ceiling tiles, and other repairs to restore the shelter. She says she hopes to be fully operational again in about a month.

Buckley also says they’ve received so many generous donations of towels and blankets, they are going to offer some to other nearby animal shelters.

To learn ways that you can help, tap HERE.