Animal Rescue Destroyed by Fire

KEOTA – UNleashed Animal Rescue and Adoption was the site of a massive, devastating fire on June 14. The fire destroyed two buildings and a 24-foot camper that was used for storage. According to Angel, the owner of UNleashed, the fire was mistakenly started by a careless neighbor burning things on his property. The fire then spread to UNleashed via pine trees outside the rescue.

In addition to losing the two buildings, UNleashed lost all of their kennels, carriers, live traps, blankets, a new generator, and all but a small amount of food. Fortunately, no people or animals were harmed. Angel stated that only $14,000 was given to them by their insurance company, meaning they will need donations to rebuild the destroyed buildings. More information on donations can be found on the rescue’s Facebook page. At the time of writing, $1,695 has been raised. “My goal is to get a building up so we can start over, you know?” said Angel. “My goal is to keep growing.”

Angel stated that she was in the rescue, taking care of a kitten, when she heard a pounding on the door. She stepped out to see the back half of her property completely engulfed in flames. “They said they seen it two miles outside of town,” said Angel. “There were 170 foot flames that engulfed my trees...I’m just standing there watching firefighters. My building fell on one of the firefighters and melted his hat. I was freaking out. I didn’t want anybody to get hurt. At the time I went out, I passed out and they almost had to put me in an ambulance because it was overwhelming,” Angel said, beginning to cry. “I’ve never experienced anything like that ever. It’s traumatizing. My neighbors were all standing around and not one single person walked over to see if they could be of any help. None of them offered. They all were standing out there with their arms crossed. It felt like I was a spectacle in front of the whole world.” It took nine long hours for firefighters to finally put out the blaze.

UNleashed opened three years ago and is a state licensed animal rescue and sanctuary. They specialize in Trap Neuter Return and giving animals away for foster care. “I’m trying to make a difference down here, because in the state of Iowa there’s four counties that have nothing and Keokuk County is one of them,” said Angel. “And I’ve talked to governors and gone to city council meetings, to where it made me feel like I should just do it on my own. I’m determined. The support I can get from this county would be amazing, because I wish they could see how much we’re doing for this county...I just think the animals in this county need somebody.”