Fire hits Animal Friends League of Kuwait

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, April 2010:

 

 

Fire hits Animal Friends League of Kuwait

 

WAFRA, Kuwait--Electrical fires on March 12 and March 24,

2010 razed most of the Animal Friends League of Kuwait shelter

complex. The facilities, featured in a presentation on shelter

design at the first Middle East Network for Animal Welfare conference

in 2007, were widely praised as the best in the Middle East.

The first fire destroyed the residential quarters and all

personal possessions of four live-in staff members. The second fire

killed eight dogs and 31 cats, and badly injured others, some of

whom died later.

" Investigations have shown that the fires were caused by

surges of electricity from the main lines, " e-mailed founder Ayeshah

Waleed Al Humaidhi. " After the first fire, an inspection of the

shelter elecrical system was conducted and smoke detectors and fire

extinguishers were purchased and donated.

" Despite these precautions, " Al Humaidhi said, " a massive

surge occurred to the now weakened main electrical lines. All staff

were sleeping nearby when the fire started. The fire was not

discovered until aerosol cans near the source of the fire began to

explode. Our shelter staff acted heroically to save as many animals

as possible, and the fire rescue team also showed great courage as

they entered the building to release dogs while the fire was still

burning, " The Kuwait Royal Animal Hospital

hosted fostering sessions that found temporary quarters for at least

47 of the 62 dogs, cats, and rabbits who survived the fires without

serious injury. The Washington Animal Rescue League took 20 dogs

for U.S. adoption. Ten volunteers from a local agility club spent a

week helping with the animals.

" Men have turned up with a tool box and shovel asking how

they can help, " Al Humaidhi said. " The show of support has brought

tears to our eyes at times. "

But the biggest need ahead will be resources for rebuilding.

" We have been able to save many of the interior doors and fittings, "

Al Humaidhi reported. " Volunteers have demolished the ceiling,

removed all doors and windows, including frames, and have removed,

washed and stored most loose items " that could be salvaged.

" Repairs of the steel structure of the building have already

started, " Al Humaidhi added, 10 days after the second fire.

 

[Contact: Animal Friends League of Kuwait, 333 Goose Pond

Road, Lyme, NH 03768; <ayeshah_a22;

<www.animalfriendskuwait.org>.]

 

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephones: 360-579-2505, 360-678-1057

Cell: 360-969-0450

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

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