About 50 of the cats may become adoptable in the coming weeks while the feral cats will need to be placed with specific rescue groups where they can live undisturbed or be rehabilitated, a sanctuary official said.

A man and “numerous” cats were killed Monday morning in a fire at a Long Island animal sanctuary. The fire occurred around 7 a.m. in Medford, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Christopher Arsenault, 65, was found dead in the destroyed home after firefighters were able to get the flames under control, officials said.

Happy Cat Sanctuary owner Chris Arsenault was killed trying to save his cats from a fire on Dourland Road in Medford, Long Island.