An adoption event Tuesday evening will help find homes for dozens of dogs displaced by a house fire in Taneytown last month. Anyone interested in adopting a pet can visit the Westminster PetSmart, at 625 Baltimore Blvd. from 5 to 7 p.m.
Humane Society Executive Director Karen Baker said 32 dogs, five cats, six chickens, six parakeets, four chinchillas, two hedgehogs, one rabbit, one rat and one mouse were moved to the animal shelter following the fire. The chickens, hedgehogs and chinchillas were quickly adopted, and nearly all of the larger animals were placed in foster care. All the animals in the house survived the fire.
The adoption event also will include several animals from the shelter, including dogs, cats, rabbits and Guinea pigs, Humane Society of Carroll County Director of Animal Care Michelle Fidler said in an email.
Immediately after the fire, four dogs were transported to Airpark Animal Hospital in Westminster, where they received critical treatment for smoke inhalation, said hospital administrator Carl Smith, of Sykesville. The animal hospital also opened on April 28 to provide spay and neuter services to several dozen dogs displaced by the fire.
“[All of the animals] are slowly becoming available for adoption or they’re out in foster care,” Baker said last month. “Once dogs and cats are spayed or neutered and medically cleared by a veterinarian, then they will be made available for adoption.”
The fire on Fairview Avenue, which is believed to be accidental, originated in the kitchen at 9:11 a.m., April 16, and was under control in 30 minutes, Maryland State Fire Marshal spokesperson Oliver Alkire said. The Taneytown Fire Department was assisted by other fire departments, and 30 firefighters were on the scene. The blaze is estimated to have caused $100,000 in property damage.
Alkire said hoarding conditions were present in the home and those conditions can feed a fire by providing more combustible materials and can hinder firefighters by creating a confusing or maze-like interior.
No deaths or injuries to humans were reported as a result of the fire.
