Animal-rescue family distraught after fire kills 12 pets (One cat survived)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10546549

Published Saturday January 24, 2009
Animal-rescue family distraught after fire kills 12 pets

BY ANDREW J. NELSON
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Pet lovers who had opened their Benson-area home to dogs that needed foster care came home to a fire that claimed all nine, along with one cat and two snakes, officials said.

One cat survived. Animal control officers took it to a pet clinic because the family was too distraught. The other animals died of smoke inhalation, said Capt. Shane McClanahan, an Omaha fire investigator.

The homeowners at 3921 N. 67th St. declined to comment Friday night, but firefighters and a spokeswoman with the Nebraska Humane Society described a grieving family that cared deeply for pets in need.

The homeowners have a permit that allows them to care for more pets than normally authorized by city ordinance, said Pam Wiese of the Humane Society. It allows for up to five dogs and three cats to live at the residence and does not limit snakes.

But boarders like the family on 67th Street, who took in pets temporarily for two rescue shelters, can have even more pets at a home if kept there for a limited period of time, she said.

FULL story at link.