Pocono News Section

Animal Shelter Needs Help After Fire

Animal Shelter Needs Help After Fire - Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 4:28PM EST

Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008 @ 04:28pm EST

A fire causes an animal shelter in Wayne County to close.

Dessin Animal Shelter near Honesdale in Wayne County housed more than 80 cats and dogs.

There is extensive damage to parts of the building.

The manager of the shelter is in her 20th year there.

She says the more than 80 animals rescued - could've been without a home - if it weren't for dozens of local residents lending a hand.

Sandra Dunn lives just behind the Dessin Animal Shelter and saw the smoke from Tuesday's fire -- from her home.

Dunn says, “All I could think was I have to get those animals out.”

Dunn ran to the shelter to find all the animals survived the flames - thanks to quick work by the shelter's volunteers.

Shelter manager Sue Frisch says, "They made a valiant effort - right in the smoky building, pulling animals out, making sure everyone was safe, taking head counts.”

Bob Diehl from Damascus did his part by donating dog food.

The decision to give, he says, was simple.

"They need help,” says Diehl.

Frisch says about two dozen people offered to take in multiple animals, including Dunn, who is fostering two dogs.

All 60 cats and 22 dogs have a place to stay, at least for now.

But Frisch, who told us her cup is always half full, believes permanent adoptions will come out of this devastating fire.

“The response has been overwhelming, and it always has been. There was a fire downtown a couple weeks ago, and the community responded right away. They've always, always, always been here for anything anybody needs," says Frisch.

If you’d like to help the shelter, call them at 253-4037.