Specialized boarding facility in Raytown damaged by fire. What will happen to dogs?
A Raytown boarding facility for at-risk animals was damaged following a fire overnight Wednesday, but more than a dozen dogs staying there are safe.
Fire broke out around 1 a.m. at The Pet Connection, 6204 Arlington Ave. in Raytown, said shelter director Melody Huff.
The organization is a boarding facility for at-risk dogs that works with humane societies to house animals with special needs.
Huff said the fire started on the exterior of the building and woke up tenants who live on-site and care for dogs at the facility. The fire didn’t progress to the area where the facility’s 16 dogs live.
Once the residents safely evacuated, fire crews didn’t allow anyone to return to the building to get the dogs. Some of the dogs showed stress from the noise as firefighters handled the blaze, and also dealt with smoke inhalation issues, but Huff said none are seriously hurt.
“It’s one of my worst nightmares to have a fire in one of my animal facilities,” Huff said. “You feel so helpless.”
Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.
The facility suffered extensive damage because of the fire, according to Huff, who said the exterior wall that caught fire will need to be replaced.
Windows were knocked out in the upstairs apartment, and a room where the organization hosts trainings and behavioral classes is inoperable until repairs can happen. The ceiling will also need to be replaced due to water damage.
The classes, Huff said, are a main source of revenue for the facility, so that they can afford to care for at-risk and special needs dogs.
The Pet Connection is asking community members to make donations at thepetconnection.net to help pay for initial repairs and assist the organization until it can restart classes and trainings.
For now, the dogs are able to stay at the facility, but if power remains out, Huff said they may need to transfer the dogs. Local pet rescues and veterinary clinics with boarding have offered space for the dogs, if needed.
“All these animals are very special needs,” Huff said. “They’re dogs that are in behavioral training, and it will be harder for them to have to be in other places, so we’re hoping we won’t have to evacuate.”
