Pets spared in shelter blaze

By Nicole Williams
WORKERS at a Keysborough animal shelter are grateful a deliberately lit fire, which caused $250,000 worth of damage, didn’t injure any animals last week.
Security alarms alerted staff to the blaze at the Australian Animal Protection Society early on Thursday morning and CFA crews managed to control the blaze before it spread into the animal enclosures.
It caused extensive damage to the veterinary clinic and surgery, which had been stocked with valuable medical equipment and stock.
Director Christine Giles said it had been difficult but staff were looking to get back to normal.
“It has been very difficult and unfortunate but it has happened and you deal with it,” she said.
“It is very, very badly damaged inside and there is nothing that can be salvaged.”
Ms Giles said the shelter had put in place temporary measures to continue running the clinic but were only seeing a minimal number of clients until hired portables arrive.
Police believe the fire was suspicious, which Ms Giles said was a horrible thought.
“It has never happened before and it has left a nasty taste in one’s mouth that someone might have done that,” she said.
“How would they know what animals weren’t in there?”
The shelter is having a clean up day on 22 April and invites the public to help the shelter by attending or donating money.
For more information visit www.aaps.org.au.
Police are continuing to investigate the blaze and any information should be directed to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Detective Acting Sergeant Rick Mokos from Greater Dandenong Criminal Investigation Unit on 9767 7487.