Funds pour in for Brandywine Valley SPCA after fire

Injured cat, Harmony, dies after suffering smoke inhalation and burns

WEST CHESTER » Brandywine Valley SPCA has started a fundraising effort to rebuild their New Castle location following Sunday’s car crash and fire which killed Latoya Cooper, the driver of a car which hit the building as well a number of cats at the Brandywine Valley SPCA New Castle Campus on 600 South Street in New Castle.

Friday morning a cat who was rescued from the fire also died. Harmony suffered smoke inhalation and burns to her pads and face as a result of the fire. She was being treated at a specialty veterinary hospital when she died.

“We are heartbroken beyond words,” said Brandywine Valley SPCA spokesperson Linda Torelli speaking about Harmony’s death.

Nearly 100 animals were safely evacuated from the fire and have since been placed for adoption, The four cats that died were all housed directly at the point of impact where the car hit the building.

“Thanks to an amazing response from the community and our friends in animal welfare to adopt or transfer animals that were in our other facilities at the time of the fire,” said Brandywine Valley SPCA CEO Adam Lamb. “We’ve been able to open space and move all of the adoption candidates from the fire into other campuses.”

Lamb said most of the remaining animals are at the West Chester Campus.

Brandywine SPCA has already raised more than $40,000 from 600 donors at the online fundraising site, fundly.com. They hope to raise $100,000 towards repairs.

“I adopted my loving toy poodle Maxie from BVSPCA in NC, a clean, caring shelter,” said donor, Marilyn Hunt on the fundraising website.

“So saddened by what’s happened and just wanted to help after hearing your story. Sending prayers,” commented Julia Morrison, who also made a donation.

Work on repairing the New Castle building has begun with partial electricity restored, however SPCA officials don’t have a timeline for reopening as they assess the financial impact of the fire and lost revenue from a clinic at the site.

To donate go to https:// fundly.com/bvspca-newcastle-campus-fire

SUBMITTED PHOTO Harmony died after suffering smoke inhalation and burns on her pads and face.