OMAHA, Nebraska — On Saturday, an outdoor cat shelter with ten cats was set on fire. The Omaha Fire Department responded quickly, and no cats were injured, but the caretaker still has concerns.
- In 2009, Sheryl Spain founded a rescue called Community Cats of Omaha.
- On Saturday, Spain says a nearby neighbor witnessed someone get out of this car and light the shelter on fire.
- “I would like to know why. Why? Somebody a week ago, Friday, came and bashed into all these houses with their car. To me it looks like the same car.”
On Saturday, an outdoor cat shelter near 84th and Blondo caught fire. The caretaker informs us that all cats are safe and accounted for, but her question remains: why would someone do this?
Sheryl Spain founded Community Cats of Omaha in 2009, which once cared for approximately 50 cats but is now down to 10 due to its spay and neutering program.
“If we can keep their population down, they die out as they live their lives out and die out naturally, and that’s what this is,” Spain informed us.
While she understands that not everyone agrees with housing wild cats, she never imagined it would come to this.
“I just got a phone call of my mother saying your cats are on fire, your cats are on fire.”
According to Spain, on Saturday, a nearby neighbor saw someone get out of this car and set fire to the shelter.
The Omaha Fire Department arrived shortly after and put a stop to it. No cats were harmed.
“I’d like to know why. Why? A week ago, on Friday, someone drove into all of these houses. “To me, it looks like the same car.”
To keep the cats safe, Spain has decided to relocate them.
However, she is currently running low on supplies and is turning to her neighbors for assistance.
“I thought it was terrible that someone would do this to innocent little kitties. Hilary Pflug, who works in the area, said, “They’re not doing anything to anyone.”
Spain has received an outpouring of support, with neighbors donating items such as kitty litter, food, and bedding to assist the cats in their resettlement.
“Oh my gosh, I opened the door today. There were thirty packages. “So sweet,” Spain exclaimed.
According to the Omaha Fire Department, an investigation is underway.