Most pet owners wouldn’t hesitate to jump into a burning building to save their pets, but what about a burning vehicle?
Marc Heethuis-Dubois was faced with this question earlier this month.
Dubois is a good samaritan and the executive director of Boomer’s Haven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, which he opened earlier this year in Irricana, about 53 kilometres northeast of Calgary.
On November 4, he was on his way back to the shelter from Lethbridge with two rescue kittens. Everything was going smoothly until Dubois’ car suddenly lost power.
Before his vehicle came to a halt, Dubois managed to pull over. When his engine finally stopped, he started thinking about how he would get home.
He didn’t have much time to think. Shortly after his car stopped, smoke started pouring out under his hood.
Eager to find the cause of the smoke, Dubois popped the hood only to find a small fire that quickly grew into an inferno.
The engine that had stopped was now consumed in flames. Dubois quickly grabbed his wallet and keys before turning his attention to the two rescue kittens in the vehicle’s hatch.
Believe it or not, Michael Bay explosions aren’t the biggest concern when it comes to car fires. Toxic fumes are.
A burning car is a death trap for anyone inside. In closed spaces, toxic fumes from burning synthetic materials like car seats quickly build up.
These harmful gasses can turn deadly instantly, especially if you are a little kitten with even tinier lungs!
Dubois’s heart sank when he tried to open the hatch. It wouldn’t budge, even after he put the car in park.
After many more attempts, the hatch finally opened, allowing him to rescue the two kittens trapped inside.
Rallying for Boomer’s Haven
With adrenaline still pumping through his veins, Dubois was confused and questioned whether he had managed to rescue both kittens.
When he looked back at the car, he realized that even if he had missed one, it was too late.
“The flames had come through the dash of the car, and now were just passing through the cabin so rapidly there would have been no chance for me to go back,” Dubois told the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
Dubois was relieved when he realized both cats were with him, but he was still stranded without a car.
“All I could do was just stand in kind of horror and watch my only transportation and donations that were in there for animals, just go up in flames,” he explained.
Thankfully, a passerby pulled over and called 911 to help Dubois and the kittens. Although the worst of it is over, Dubois is still facing the aftermath of the car fire.
Immediately after the fire, Boomer’s Haven was without a vehicle, meaning Dubois had to put rescuing animals on hold.
“I can’t do anything and it breaks my heart to be sidelined, waiting to get back out there to do anything,” expressed Dubois.
Dubois’ mom, Cheryl Reynolds, started a GoFundMe page to get the volunteer-run rescue a new vehicle. So far, the community has generously donated over $3,500.
The vehicle that caught fire was essential to Boomer’s Haven’s operations. The rescue used the car to “transport animals to medical appointments, to adoption events, to pick up donations, to run out at a moment’s notice to help people in the community,” Dubois told Global News.
For the time being, Boomer’s Haven is using a loaned vehicle, which isn’t ideal. It can barely fit two people, let alone any animals.
Adoption Helps Shelters
Boomer’s Haven is a small rescue, but every effort to help animals that can’t help themselves is worth it. Currently, the shelter is caring for 80 animals, most of which are in foster care.
Since opening in February, the rescue has helped about 200 animals. Last month, Boomer’s Haven helped get Batman, an adorable black kitten, spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped.
If you would like to support Boomer’s Haven directly, you can donate to the rescue on their website. The rescue also has a massive selection of cats available for adoption, including one dog named Max.
Max is a Maremma Sheepdog and the best boy. He is a big dog with an even bigger heart. Max gets along with just about anyone, but he tends to be clumsy and stumbles.
If you want to adopt a cat, you’ll have no shortage of choices at Boomer’s Haven! Fritz is a male tabby who is tough as nails.
He used to spend his time getting into street brawls with other cats, but now he enjoys cuddling up with humans and socializing with other cats and dogs!
Then you have sweethearts like Sophia, a young female calico who helped feed several orphan kitties. She is ready for a break in her forever home.
There are many organizations like Boomer’s Haven across the province, but they can only help so many animals. Adopting animals is a great way to lessen the burden on these organizations.
If that wasn’t enough incentive, owning pets also contributes to your mental and physical health!
An international study in 2023 found that burnout from work-related stress is at an all-time high, especially among Gen Z and Millennials.
Meanwhile, Studies have shown that interacting with animals decreases stress and lowers blood pressure. It’s no wonder Gen Z and Millennials are the most likely to own pets in Canada!
Is your job stressing you out? Consider adopting a pet from rescues like Boomer’s Haven, but only if you are ready!
