FELLSMERE — A devastating early-morning fire destroyed two cat cottages at For the Love of Paws animal sanctuary in Florida, killing 10 cats and leaving the facility’s operators heartbroken and injured.
Ted Pankiewicz Jr. awoke around 5:30 a.m. to sounds he initially mistook for a rocket launch. Instead, he discovered the structures housing the cats engulfed in flames.
Pankiewicz and his son Ryder managed to rescue four of the 14 cats inside the cottages during the blaze. The surviving cat, are now being kept in the family home as the organization assesses next steps. A tortoise is still missing.
Pankiewicz suffered second-degree burns to his hands and arms but is otherwise physically stable. He praised his son’s bravery in the terrifying moments, noting Ryder is emotionally exhausted like the rest of the family.
The nonprofit sanctuary, run by Pankiewicz and partner Fawn E. Witt, provides a comfortable home for cats on a five-acre property featuring the specialized cottages. The loss has struck especially hard for Witt, who is described as particularly devastated.
“I’m just emotionally spent and have no words,” Pankiewicz said. “Why, why when you try to do good and life does this.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No further details on the origin or extent of damage were immediately available.
The organization has not announced plans for recovery or ways the public can help, but Pankiewicz indicated the surviving cats will temporarily live indoors with the family.