Metro animal rescue taking donations, plans to rebuild after fire

A metro animal rescue, Fur Ever Friends Rescue, is facing an uncertain future after a fire destroyed its barn housing dogs and livestock.

12 dogs died in the fire, and the rescue lost all its supplies.

But, over 40 dogs were saved by the owner, Diane, who ran into the fire to let them out.

Fur Ever Friends was the only rescue in Choctaw, consistently housing anywhere from 40 to 60 dogs.

“It’s still devastating. You can still smell the smoke and it's just it's heartbreaking,” Kim West, Diane’s best friend, said.

Gratitude to the community

West said Diane and the volunteers at Fur Ever Friends were blown away by the community support over Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The outpour has just really been amazing. Not only from, Choctaw and the surrounding local areas,” West said.

In just a single day, a GoFundMe raised more than $50,000 dollars and supplies are piling up at donation sites.

Other organizations stepped up on Tuesday to board dogs displaced by the fires.

What’s next?

“That is temporary housing,” West said.

Volunteers are now focused on permanent solutions while Diane rebuilds her business.

“We need rescues to reach out to us and take just 1 or 2 dogs so these dogs will have a forever home for life,” West said.

How can you help?

Fur Ever Friends is counting on help from the community it serves.

“Dog food, dog leashes, dog collars. It’s just everything you can think for a dog, that’s what Diane is going to need,” West said. 

You can click here to donate to Fur Ever Friends GoFundMe or drop off donations in person outside the shelter at 13648 Redbud Rd. in Choctaw, at Petsense by Tractor Supply in Choctaw, or at Bob Moore Subaru in Edmond. 

Sergio’s Italian Bistro is also hosting a profit-share fundraiser and taking donations on Sunday, January 26. Click here for more information.