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Founder of cat sanctuary loses home to fire
(by Joan Demirjian - September 09, 2010)
Founder of cat sanctuary loses home to fire
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
The cause of a fire at a house in Chester, which is the site of a cat sanctuary, is believed to have been electrical in nature, according to the Chester Fire Department.
Jeanne Bones, who owns the house on Pine Acres Lane and is the founder of Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary on the site, now is living in a mobile home on the property. The fire caused about $100,000 in damage to her house, according to the fire department.
Twenty-seven of the adoptable cats from the sanctuary have been taken in by the Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village in Russell. The shelter is preparing them for adoption.
There are more than 120 cats at the sanctuary, which was begun in the early 1980s. As of last week, there were six to seven missing cats, and one was found dead in a kitchen area of the house.
"It has been stressful for Jeanne, because she has lost her home too," said Doreen Lazarus, a sanctuary board member and volunteer.
"We want the cats to have good homes, whether out of Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary or from Rescue Village," Ms. Lazarus said.
Ms. Bones and the volunteers are taking care of the cats at the sanctuary.
Because of a lack of electricity last week, water for drinking and washing could not be pumped from the well, and that has been an issue for the sanctuary. Vaccines that were kept in a refrigerator had to be destroyed.
Over the last few years, more cats have been taken in by the sanctuary due to economic reasons, Ms. Lazarus said. "More and more people have called us because of foreclosures. We have been filled to capacity for quite awhile.
"Our mission is to help cats overall," she said. There are cats, due to age, physical disabilities, even some missing limbs, that must live out their lives at Happy Tails. Some are feral cats that also cannot be adopted out. They live in buildings on the property.
"They have lived there all their lives," Ms. Lazarus said. "It's part of being a sanctuary." There are any number of facilities that would have euthanized such animals, she said.
However, if any cat is in pain or there is no cure for serious illness, they are taken to be euthanized.
Happy Tails has spent "tens of thousands of dollars on surgeries and health care," Ms. Lazarus said, of neutering and vaccines. However, between the fire and the economic times, they may have to now cut back, she said.
"We have to make sure we are doing the best we can for the cats that are there," she said. "It's all about trying to help the cats. Jeanne absolutely does her best."
Hope Brustein, Rescue Village executive director, said the 27 cats taken in by the shelter are being prepared for adoption.
Rescue Village is working with the cat sanctuary to get the cats adopted, she said.
"Jeanne Bones has been doing rescue work for over 14 years, saving many cats," she said.
"We are stepping in to assist in getting the cats into rescue and foster homes and to see to it that the cats get what they deserve," Ms. Brustein said.
However, with the additional cats, Rescue Village on Chillicothe Road (Route 306) is filled. Those who wish to help can do so with donations of supplies and funds.
"We're asking for cat food, litter and blankets, which we will share with the sanctuary," Ms. Brustein said.
For more information, call Rescue Village's at (440) 338-4819.
Ms. Lazarus said the cat sanctuary could use Friskie's dry cat food, canned Nine Lives cat food, kitty litter, cleaning supplies, blankets and cat beds. "So much was destroyed," Ms. Lazarus said.
Ms. Lazarus said monetary donations can be sent to Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 581, Chesterland 44026.
For more information, contact Ms. Lazarus at (440) 759-0076.
Volunteers also are needed for cleaning and feeding at the sanctuary, to foster cats until homes are found and those who can adopt them. "People could help in so many ways," Ms. Lazarus said.
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