13 cats, 3 dogs dead in Barrhaven house fire

A woman who ran an unregistered cat shelter from her Barrhaven home says she's in shock after losing more than a dozen animals in a fire earlier this week.

Devastated owner was running unregistered cat rescue from her home

Joseph Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Mar 15, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 15

A woman wearing a scarf sits on a couch and stares at the camera. — Linda Howie, who also trains Shetland Sheepdogs, says she began operating a cat rescue from her home in Barrhaven during the pandemic. Thirteen cats and three dogs perished when fire tore through the home on Monday. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

The scenes Linda Howie saw at her burning house Monday morning are difficult for her to relive.

Witnessing the aftermath of smoke pouring out of her house, Howie soon noticed brown fur peeking out of tarps in the driveway.

"That's when I really broke down," she said.

Howie, who trains Shetland Sheepdogs, runs an unregistered cat rescue out of her home near the Walter Baker Sports Centre in Barrhaven.

"They were bringing out the animals and trying to revive them in the driveway," said Marg Sawicka, who lives across the street. "It was very sad."

"They worked tirelessly," said neighbour Susan Enns.

Ottawa Fire Services Chief Paul Hutt said 13 cats and two dogs, identified by Howie as her beloved Gemma and Dazzle, perished in the fire.

Howie said a third puppy, Prancer, later died of smoke inhalation.

Howie says she was "hysterical" standing out on the street and requested one of her beloved dogs under the tarps be brought to her.

"They brought me one of the dogs and I could hold her on my lap," Howie said. "She was gone."

Two Shetland Sheepdogs in a bed of flowers. — Howie says three of her five Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, died as a result of the fire on Monday. Gemma, left, and Dazzle, right, were among the animals that perished. (Submitted by Linda Howie)

Two cats survived the fire, along with two puppies Howie saw rescued by firefighters. Police have deemed the fire accidental.

Howie said she was told it started in the kitchen and that the inside of her home will need to be gutted. She wasn't home when the fire was called in a little after 9 a.m.

Cat rescue wasn't registered

According to the city, residents aren't allowed to have more than three dogs or five cats, and no more than five of the animals in total. The bylaw allows for exemptions for kennels, pet shops and registered temporary foster-care providers.

A woman holds three Shetland Sheepdog puppies. — Linda Howie holds three puppies, Prancer, Dancer and Jingles. Prancer died of smoke inhalation after the fire. (Submitted by Linda Howie)

Howie said she started the cat rescue, Barrhaven Animal Resources, during the pandemic, and said it was never officially registered. The city was unable to confirm its status, citing the ongoing investigation.

Whether legal or not, Howie said she provided the animals with quality care and did not collect pets. Her neighbours spoke highly of her and confirmed she's passionate about caring for animals.

"It's not the number so much as the care and the context," said Howie, adding she fostered animals for the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) for 18 years before starting her own cat rescue.

A house with a few animal-related items out on the front step. — Howie has been told the inside of her home will need to be gutted. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

In a statement, the OHS says Howie is not affiliated with it and they have no official partnership. The OHS did confirm that she periodically drops off animals and has been a foster volunteer.

Howie said she plans to continue training the surviving dogs, but she's unsure whether she'll continue with the cat rescue.

"I really have to collect my thoughts," she said, "and see where I go from here."