PAWS Tinley Park Closed Temporarily After Fire, Strays Redirected

TINLEY PARK, IL — Another suburban animal shelter is stepping up to support PAWS Tinley Park as it recovers from a fire in the building's laundry room Wednesday night.

South Suburban Humane Society based in Matteson will take in stray animals normally accommodated at PAWS Tinley Park while the shelter remains closed for repairs. South Suburban Humane Society is located at 21800 S. Central Ave., Matteson and is open from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Residents who find strays outside of Matteson shelter's normal hours of operation are encouraged to call the Tinley Park Police Department’s non-emergency number at (708) 444-5300. SSHS can be reached at (708) 755-7387 for more information.

Tinley Park firefighters were called to a fire at the animal shelter, 8301 W 191st St., at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Village Manager Pat Carr. The fire originated in the shelter's dryer, Tinley Park Fire Chief Klotz said, and was extinguished within 5 to 10 minutes of firefighters arriving on the scene.

Shelter volunteers, staff and firefighters worked together to contain individual animals and evacuate them from the building Klotz said. In total, all 55 cats and 42 dogs made it safely out of the building. Staff from Midwest Animal Hospital of Orland Park were there to transport the animals for evaluation, Klotz said.

PAWS Tinley Park officials said that animals remained hospitalized overnight, with 14 cats and 2 dogs showing signs of respiratory distress.

"The firefighters did an awesome job, the fire was held in check within the first 5 to 10 minutes of them arriving," Klotz said. "Unfortunately, the smoke travels, and that’s hard to stop. That’s why the immediate evacuation was the next step.

"... The cooperation between the firefighters, the volunteers, other people that showed up was second to none. It was just an awesome collaboration."

The shelter will remain closed as the facility is cleaned and necessary repairs made. Those looking to support the shelter are encouraged to make monetary donations to help pay for vet bills, a new dryer and repairs.