The Animal Justice Party is calling on the NSW Government to fund the restoration of Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter after two mother cats and their kittens died in a fire at the Mulgrave facility.
A 35-year-old man has been charged following two allegedly deliberately lit fires at the shelter on Monday, November 2.
The shelter’s administration office sustained extensive damage, forcing its closure to the public while staff assessed the damage and established temporary arrangements.
The Animal Justice Party’s Sydney North West Regional Group says emergency government assistance is needed because community donations cannot cover the restoration work and insurance processing could delay recovery.
The group wants funding to restore the shelter, provide support for affected staff and volunteers, and strengthen fire protection and security at animal shelters across NSW, including alarms and CCTV.
According to News24, the group also contrasted the shelter’s needs with what it described as an additional $10 million allocation to greyhound racing, arguing that the government should provide assistance for companion animals and those caring for them.
Emergency services were first called to the Mulgrave Road shelter about 5.30am on Monday.
Police said a passing motorist entered the property and rescued several dogs from kennels.
Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze, but several cats and kittens could not be saved. Friends of Hawkesbury Animal Shelter said the animals lost included two mother cats and their kittens. The exact number of deaths had not been confirmed by authorities.
Firefighters contained the first blaze to the administration building, preventing it from spreading further through the facility.
Crews from Windsor, Riverstone, Richmond, Penrith, Schofields and Kellyville attended, supported by NSW Rural Fire Service appliances, according to News24’s reporting.
Police established a crime scene and began investigating.
Emergency services returned about 5.30pm following reports of a second fire at the shelter. Firefighters extinguished that blaze a short time later.
Between 5.45pm and 6.20pm, emergency services also responded to multiple grass fires in bushland across McGraths Hill and Windsor.
Following inquiries, police arrested a 35-year-old man on Windsor Road at McGraths Hill about 6.30pm and took him to Windsor Police Station.
He was charged with three counts of intentionally causing fire and being reckless as to its spread, damaging property by fire or explosion valued at more than $15,000, and an animal cruelty offence alleging torture, beating and causing an animal’s death.
He appeared at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, November 3, where he was formally refused bail. He is due to return to court on Friday, November 20.
The allegations remain before the court.
Meanwhile, shelter staff have continued caring for the surviving animals despite the disruption and loss.
Friends of Hawkesbury Animal Shelter thanked supporters for their offers of help but asked people to hold off delivering donations while temporary arrangements were being established.
The shelter remained closed to the public during the initial recovery.
