Cat rescuers across LI mourn death of sanctuary owner and cats in home fire

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad and Arson Section detectives are investigating a house fire that killed a man in Medford today.

Sixth Precinct officers responded to 12 Dourland Road at approximately 7:15 a.m. after multiple 911 callers reported a fire at the location.

After the fire was extinguished, resident Christopher Arsenault, 65, was found deceased in the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Arsenault was the founder of Happy Cat Sactuary and fellow cat rescuers across Long Island posted about their grief after hearing the news.

Melanie Wildfeuer, Manager of the Shabby Tabby Cat Cafe in Sayville, which is also a cat rescue, said, "We’ve been following the Happy Cat Sanctuary for years always so happy to see the posts of the cats being able to be free and cared for the way they deserve. I didn’t ever meet Chris face to face but I’m sure we saw each other in passing through rescue efforts or at the vet. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. We walked through the woods and huge puddles of water from the fire hoses with carriers to the house. It was heartbreaking and at the same time nice seeing all cat rescuers from all over Suffolk and the island drop everything and come together to help as much as possible. I think currently the only way to help is to donate to Jaegers Run and Strong Island Rescues. Long term fosters for feral cats would probably also be greatly appreciated. We’re just extremely sad and defeated but ready to help however we can."