YAKIMA, Wash.- A shed fire wiped out an entire shed of supplies that the Yakima Humane Society uses at adoption and vaccination events.
YHS estimates the lost items at over $4,000.
“A total loss,” says Director of Shelter Operations Kelli Peal. “We received a call about midnight Monday letting me know there was a fire. The fire department was on site and had it contained. We’re super grateful they were able to contain it so that we didn’t have any spread of damage.”
The event shed is located in the corner of YHS’s property, and crews tell Peal the fire started outside the gate.
That shed sits roughly 20 yards from the shelter’s building, but containing it quickly protected all the animals inside.
“The animals are healthy and happy,” says Peal. “It’s just those items for the events that support our community and support the outgoing adoptions.”
Items destroyed by the fire include buckets of tennis balls, tables used at the events and kennels that transport the animals.
Peal says the losses won’t affect the day-to-day operations of the shelter but will impact the adoption efforts.
“We’re going to keep going and we always do,” says Peal. “We’re asking for people’s help to help replenish those supplies.”
YHS says it still has to plan for upcoming events without the items that were stored in the shed.
“Even if we have to put up a card table from my house, we’re going to get those animals adopted no matter what,” says Peal.
YHS needs new kennels, tables and more. Peal says one of the biggest needs will be an overhead canopy.
With summer temperatures approaching, both volunteers and the animals will need shade to avoid the heat.
Peal says donations can be made online or by dropping items off at the shelter.
