Surviving Pets Trapped in Burned-Out Building: Philly

2. Call or email the below people and calmly, politely inform them that the City of Philadelphia’s response in the wake of this disaster was unacceptable. Tell them that the City failed the tenants and their pets at every turn, and that we will hold City agencies accountable for their inaction, poor communication, and lack of support.

Office of Mayor Michael Nutter
215.686.2181
michael.nutter@phila.gov

Office of Emergency Management
Samantha Phillips, Assistant Managing Director
or 215-686-4465 samantha.phillips@phila.gov

Joan Przybylowicz, Deputy Director for External Affairs/Public Information Office or  215-686-4474 joan.przybylowicz@phila.gov

3. Write a letter of support and thanks to George Bengal, Director of Law Enforcement at the PSPCA, and copy Sue Cosby, PSPCA CEO. Let them know that the animal cruelty investigators/humane law officers did an amazing job. We can’t thank George and his team enough.

The Pennsylvania SPCA
350 E. Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19134
scosby@pspca.org

4. And last but certainly not least, you can support the Windermere tenants by making a donation to the Walnut Hill Community Association’s fund for victims of the fire. Donations to the Red Cross and Salvation Army do NOT go directly to the victims. Donations to WHCA will make it directly into victims’ hands.


BACKGROUND

From NBC Philadelphia
By Colby Gallagher

Emotions are high as former Windermere Apartments residents fight to locate their missing animals.

Back in January, 90 apartment units caught fire, causing many residents to leave behind their personal belongs — including their beloved pets. Now tenants are facing another problem — the demolition of the burned building, with many animals still left inside.

“My biggest frustration is that we know that there are still pets in there alive,” former Windermere resident Lara Figueroa tells WestPhillyLocal.com

Firefighters searched the building and found multiple cats the day after the fire, but have yet to continue looking for missing pets.

Since then, three cats have been found alive and well despite firefighters’ protests that no animal could survive more than a week in the building.

The third cat, Annie, was only found this morning— a month and a day after the fire occurred, proving these brave animals will survive anything to be reunited with their owners.

Frantic residents took to the Internet and asked others for help delaying the demolition, but their efforts have failed. A mayor’s office spokesman spoke to WestPhillyLocal.com and announced today that the demolition will begin on Monday.

City Kitties, a West Philly nonprofit organization aimed at rescuing stray cats in West Philly, has given former residents a place to express their feelings in the form of a Facebook page

“I can’t tell you how happy this has made us. We can’t believe how fortunate we’ve been, and we hope that the city and the building owners will do the right thing so that other cats can be reunited with their families!”, writes Maureen Callahan, Annie’s owner.

Other supporters have shown both outrage and sadness at the lack of effort made in finding those missing furry family members.

“This brought tears to my eyes. I’ve been thinking about Annie and the other missing cats since this all started. It’s infuriating that someone wouldn’t set traps sooner. You guys are amazing! Thank you for your tenacity!” wrote Nicole Celli under the link of Annie’s amazing story.

For now, residents will try and do as much as they can by holding a peaceful protest in front of West Philly High School Saturday at 2 p.m., begging officials to postpone the demolition so they can save their feline friends.