ESCONDIDO
HUMANE SOCIETY NEWS UPDATE
ESCONDIDO
HUMANE SOCIETY PROBE CONTINUES; COMMUNITY SUPPORT “OVERWHELMING”
January 23, 2001, Escondido, CA…..The tragic fire that took the lives of more than 115 animals this weekend at the Escondido Humane Society remains under investigation by city and federal authorities, while the society’s director says the gutted animal care facility will be rebuilt.
Escondido police and fire departments and the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms continue to probe the ruins. Some 85 animals survived the blaze, with about half remaining under care at the Acacia Animal Hospital for smoke inhalation and burns.
“The public response has been just overwhelming,” said Phil Morgan, Humane Society executive director. “We’ve received tons of animal food, truckloads of blankets and towels, and cash donations. We will continue to depend on the generosity of the public for funding and donations of construction-related services as we go forward with rebuilding our facility.” He estimated replacing the animal care center will cost $3-5 million and take one year to rebuild.
Meanwhile, the Humane Society will operate from a temporary office at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce. Donations of office furniture and supplies still are being sought.
The approximately 40 uninjured animals, which have been cared for by Animal Keepers of Poway, in addition to approximately 60 pets that were in fostering programs at people’s homes, may be available for adoption later this week. Morgan said anyone considering adoption of a pet should call 760-745-4362, or visit www.escondidohumanesociety.org for information on adoption procedures. Injured animals will be released first to foster homes for care before adoption procedures are completed, he said.
“The public has been incredibly generous so far,” Morgan added. “What we need from this point forward are unrestricted monetary donations to get back into some type of operation as fast as possible, and to care for the surviving animals. This has been tragic for all of our employees, volunteers and donors,” he added. “Fortunately, our animals are now receiving the best of care, but I’m very concerned about finding jobs for those of our employees whom we won’t be able to keep on the payroll during the time it takes us to rebuild.”
Until then, the society will be able to keep fewer than half of its current 25 full and part-time staff on the payroll to handle administrative matters, Morgan said. He expressed hope that the community will support these employees by helping them find good jobs.
The Humane Society will hold a memorial service at 10 a.m. on Friday for the animals who died in the fire. The memorial, open to the public, will be at the Kit Carson Park Amphitheater, located off Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido.
Grief counseling will be provided for anyone that is interested, on Saturday from 10 am-12 noon, at The Wellness Center, 425 N. Date Street, Escondido.
The society is accepting donations by mail. Please make checks payable to Escondido Humane Society, and mail to c/o Palomar Community Bank, P.O. Box 3499, Escondido, CA 92033.