Kennel fire inspires community
Member Center:
A Panhandle community is coming together after a fire destroyed one of Western Nebraska's few dog shelters and killed three dogs.
The Adopt-A-Dog shelter in Chappel has found homes for thousands and thousands of dogs in its 25 years of existence so when the building burned down Saturday night it was a shock.
Owner Tom Duffield says they will probably never know what started the devastating fire.
Tom said, "we're not really sure but it was pretty limited what it might've been, there wasn't a lot in there, of course we had the lighting, plugs, we had a propane heater sitting in there, and a radio".
Duffield says the loss of the building is unfortunate but the loss of three dogs is making the healing process even harder for him and his wife.
Terry Duffield said, "I gotta get it out of my head who we lost, I am very upset over the three that we lost, I was close to them, I was close to every dog in that kennel, I knew their personalities, I knew their souls".
Even through their grief the Duffield's say they are thankful that six dogs survived the fire.
Wagon Tails Rescue group is now working to find homes for the surviving dogs and people all around the Panhandle are working to raise money for Tom and Terry to start over and build a new kennel.
The Duffields say they have been overwhelmed with the support they have received from the community and that they have a long road ahead of them.
To donate to the Duffiled's rebuild go to Foster Lumber at 682 3rd Street Chappell, NE 69129.
And to donate to the Wagon Tails Rescue group mail donations to Po Box 41, Sidney, NE 69162.
