Fire hits Cheektowaga animal rescue, 4 dogs perish

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cheektowaga fire caused destruction and heartbreak for a local animal rescue.

Allie & Pals Rescue is a volunteer run animal foster home based in Buffalo. The organization focuses on rescuing dogs from all across the country — including Western New York.

Devin Bonwalsh, a foster for Allie & Pals, is describing what happened as unimaginable. Late Monday afternoon, the rescue’s president was walking a few of her dogs when she realized there was a fire coming from the second story of her home. Without hesitation she ran back inside, risking her own life to try and save the animals still trapped.

“When you have foster dogs, they’re part of your family,” said Bonwalsh. “She was able to get everybody out besides the couple puppies that were in the main source of the loss.”

The loss of four dogs was just the beginning. The home located on Boll Street was the main building the rescue operated out of and almost all of their supplies such as crates, dog beds, food, medicine, etc., was ruined.

“We don’t have a brick and mortar,” explained Bonwalsh. “We are a local, small rescue so we work in our homes. This was our main home that was effected by the fire.”

Now, the rescue is figuring out how to rebuild. Bonwalsh said in just two days, the outpouring of support from the city of good neighbors has been overwhelming and they’re holding on to hope that kindness will keep carrying them forward.

“Immediately, there was a group chat of different leaders within the rescue organizations, and they sprang into action,” said Bonwalsh. “It’s really been a community of lifting us up.”

All of the dogs that were saved have now been displaced.

The rescue is now seeking donations to cover the cost of boarding, and day to day supplies that perished in the blaze.

You can donate via Venmo here. There is also an Amazon Wishlist.

If you’re interested in fostering a dog, you can fill out an application.