A large number of dogs and cats perished as fires swept through a boarding kennel in Inglewood in the Adelaide Hills.
The owners of the Tea Tree Gully Boarding Kennels and Cattery used social media to share the news that, while they managed to save more than 40 dogs, a large number also perished and no cats survived when the cattery was destroyed.
The owners of Tea Tree Gully Boarding Kennel and Cattery in Inglewood. Via Facebook.
The owners said they were devastated by the loss of their home, business and people’s pets and had been working to contact pet owners individually.
“We love all the animals we have in our care and are devastated by this. Our deepest sympathy to all who have suffered a loss,” a post on the business’s Facebook page said.
“We have lost a home, business and pets we love and feel so awful about the loss of people’s beloved pets.”
Access to the kennels was still impossible with roads remaining closed.
The Facebook post attracted more than 6,000 comments, with people expressing their sorrow over the animals that were lost and offering help.
“So sorry to hear guys,” previous customer Hamish Gleeson wrote.
“When it all clears and access is allowed again if there is absolutely anything I can do to help, name it!
“You guys have been amazing looking after our pets and I would be honoured to help out in your time of need!”
Samantha Louise Ballard added: “Absolutely bawling my eyes out. My deepest sympathies to everyone.
“I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to lose your home and your business along with so many loved furry babies.
“I am sending so much love to you and all of your beautiful clients whom have lost their loved ones.”
40 dogs were saved but many others perished in the fire that swept through Inglewood.
Sonya Mara lost her two cats in the blaze.
“This is simply awful.. I lost my two cats Roger and Remy… Totally devastated,” she wrote.
“I’m overseas but I wish I was home.
“So sorry for the poor owners of the TTG kennels, not only their own losses to bear but all of ours too!
“My heart goes out to them and all of us who lost a loved pet.”
In an update on Facebook this morning, the owners posted that the surviving dogs had been relocated to various veterinary surgeries in the area.
This article originally appeared on ABC News and is republished here with permission.
Top Comments
After finding out more details about the numerous offers to help evacuate animals that they refused saying all was ok and safe I'm finding it hard to feel for them.
They chose to stay late and keep pretending all was ok
It was the CFS who by chance saved the dogs that survived
They knew the area, knew the risk and knew conditions were not in their favor.
If they wanted to stay and fight fine, but they owed it to their customers and animals in their care to evacuate them as soon as it was apparent there was a risk, when the watch and act was put in. With the amount in their care that's when they should have started evacuating animals, allowing enough time
Reports are now coming through that the owner of the kennels was out fighting fires as part of the CFS. IF and only if this is true I feel a significant level of sympathy for the owners and change my stance on the negligence claims.
Totally untrue. Ask the local CFS captain. Every opportunity to evacuate those poor animals. Many offers to help. Plenty of time but No fire plan, no evacuation plan. No working fire fighting system or sprinklers . All neighbours houses saved and their animals. That the area would be hit by the fire was absolutely certain by midnight Friday. Who is accountable?