PERINTON, N.Y. — At 1 a.m. Thursday, Bushnell’s Basin Fire Department got a call for a house fire on Kreag Road in Perinton.

When they arrived, they were not expecting to find nearly 100 cats inside the burning home. The two homeowners got out safe. Firefighters then called Lollypop Farm to help. Lollypop spokesperson Ashley Zeh said not all of the cats made it.

"We do know that two cats unfortunately passed, but we're working hard to help all of the animals that were in the house and that may have had smoke inhalation," said Zeh.

What You Need To Know

  • Fire officials found close to 100 cats inside a burning home in Perinton

  • The two homeowners got out safe, but not all of the cats survived

  • The town of Perinton confirms in a statement that the code enforcement office and animal control has received complaints about the home's cats and odor before

  • Lollypop Farm is now asking the community to help in giving the cats a home

According to Bushnell’s Basin Fire Chief Rich Tantalo, the homeowners are displaced. There was fire damage in the living room and smoke and water damage throughout the house. The cause is still under investigation. The Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement Department is also conducting its own investigation.

"In a situation like this, our humane law enforcement, they're going to do everything that they can. They're going to conduct their investigation and they're going to go through all the due process they would normally have to. But right now our main focus is helping as many cats as possible," said Zeh.

A search for all the cats will continue.

The town of Perinton said in a statement that the code enforcement office and animal control has received complaints about the home's cats and odor in the past. Officials have gone to the home, but weren't able to gain access inside. The statement also says code enforcement then worked with the humane society, public health, and adult protective services, but still couldn't get inside without a warrant.

Nonetheless, Lollypop Farm is now asking the community to help in giving the cats a home. 

"Not only are we going to be looking to help these cats, but we're also going to be looking to the community that are currently in our shelter and make space for the cats coming in," Zeh said.

Zeh explained the cats appear to be scared and anxious and need a safe place to recover from smoke inhalation. To adopt or foster you must schedule an appointment on the Lollypop Farm website.