Pets of Cracker Barrel Shooting Victims Need Homes
Berea Animal Rescue has stepped in to find homes for the Allen family's three dogs and two cats
Two cats left homeless after the shootings at Cracker Barrel April 12 are now up for adoption.
Animal Warden Mike Roth took three dogs from the Allen family's Shurmer Road home the night of the shooting, and later acquired the cats.
Usually, Strongsville holds animals for a few days and then turns them over to the county.
But in this case, Roth contacted Berea Animal Rescue, which runs a no-kill shelter, and asked for help.
The shelter agreed to take the pets and find them new homes.
Two of the dogs are in foster care and may have already found new owners, shelter representatives said. Sophie, a bloodhound, is at the shelter, 390 Barrett Rd., but someone is also interested in adopting her.
Roth said he agreed to hold the pets until relatives of Kayla Allen, 10, the only survivor of the shooting, could decide whether they could keep them. Kayla remains in serious condition at MetroHealth Medical Center with a long road to recovery ahead.
Police say Kevin Allen, distraught because his wife told him she was leaving him, entered the restaurant with a gun and shot his wife, Kate, and daughters Kerri, 10, and Kayla.
Kate and Kerri were killed. Kayla appeared to be recovering, but has suffered setbacks.
The shelter is open Monday through Friday 2-4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.; and on weekends from 1-4 p.m. Phone is 440-234-2034.
christy musolf
5:55 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
my name is christy. i was kates best friend. my parents are adopting sophie. we will be picking her up this week. but there are 2 more bassetts and 2 cats needing a good home. kate loved rescuing animals and would love for someone to rescue hers
MaryEllen Rodda
9:58 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Christy, I'm in Idaho, too far for Kayla to visit. Please know my prayers are with you, the critters, and especially Kayla. Anyone close, owning one of these dogs or cats and caring for it would be a living prayer for this little girl.
Marsha Schon
8:14 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
My name is Marsha. When I heard about Kayla's pets I was hoping her family and friends would keep the animals for her. It seems it would be important to her recovery to have at least one of these animals available for her to see. Pets are such good therapy and it would probably give her a boost just to see one of her beloved pets or at least for her to know that when she gets out of the hospital, it will be there for her. It would be terrible to add more stress to her condition by not letting her have some contact with at least one of her beloved animals. This could be very important to her recovery.
Debbie Palmer
6:20 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Christy, it's wonderful that you're adopting Sophie! Congratulations!