Dec 17, 2008 - 02:39 PM

By Parvaneh Pessian

OSHAWA -- Durham Humane Society staff members are "shocked and terribly distressed" after a fire killed at least 140 cats, three dogs and other animals at the Waterloo Street shelter early Wednesday morning.

Emergency officials arrived on scene at about 2:30 a.m. to find the building fully engulfed in flames.

"It's just been a day from hell," said shelter manager Ruby Richards, while visiting some of the surviving animals now under the care of Oshawa animal services.

Ten dogs, two cats and one rat were rescued and some of them remain at a local veterinary clinic to undergo assessment. In addition to the dogs and cats that perished in the fire, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters also died in the blaze, which destroyed the building, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage.

Cause of the fire has not yet been determined but police and fire officials are investigating.

City officials met with Humane Society staff and volunteers shortly before noon to discuss the best course of action.

"We're going to set up an interim plan and make sure the best care is being provided for the surviving animals," animals services manager Kathy Duncan said.

Several animal hospitals and shelters throughout the region have been notified and are willing to help in any way they can.

"We were just devastated when we heard," said Cindy Guimond from the Oshawa Animal Hospital, which sent a doctor to the location for help.

"We're just waiting for direction right now, but we will do what we need to do."

Whitby, Clarington and Ajax have offered their assistance in the short and long term for finding new homes for the animals and the Toronto Humane Society also sent a rescue vehicle to the site.

Shelter workers, volunteers and a humane society board member were visibly upset at the loss of the animals. Grief counsellors are available for treatment.

"I can't believe it. I'm just numb," receptionist Melissa MacArthur said.

The goal for the workers now is to pool resources to find solutions for how to move past the tragedy, staff member Candi Yeo said after the meeting.

"All we can do is stay strong, hope for the best and stick together as a team."

The public is being asked to not bring in donations of food, litter and blankets to animal services for the time being, but a trust fund has been set up to accept monetary donations.

Donations can be made by visiting the Humane Society of Durham Region website at www.humanedurham.com or by contacting the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722), ext. 323. Oshawa City staff will also be fielding phone calls about donations at 905-436-3311.

Anyone with information about the cause of the fire is being asked to contact Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520 or the Oshawa Fire Services at (905) 433-1236 and speak with chief fire prevention officer Susan King.