An early afternoon crash on Sunday, Aug. 17 caused extensive damage to the ASTRO Foundation facility on South Stearns Road in Oakdale. The driver of the car and personnel inside ASTRO were not hurt, authorities said, but one cat did sustain fatal injuries. The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m.

ASTRO, the Animal Shelter to Riverbank and Oakdale, relocated to the former veterinary clinic building on South Stearns earlier this year, having outgrown their space on North Fifth Avenue in town. The move to the city’s east end in late April provided much more room for housing animals while ASTRO was looking for their forever homes.

Ironically, ASTRO also just joined forces with the Petco Love campaign, seeking stories from adoptive pet owners for a chance to win funds for the organization. (See story in this week’s issue, Page A4.)

Now, the focus will be on getting the facility back in shape and operational.

“This has been a truly heartbreaking incident for all of us,” said Megan Scoullar, Director of Adoption Services for ASTRO. “We are so grateful for the kindness and the support the community has shown us – it’s meant more than we can say.”

She described the damage to the facility as being “an incredible setback” and one that may take several months to fully repair, but said ASTRO will go on.

“The need to save lives doesn’t stop,” Scoullar said of caring for the animals. “We’re continuing our lifesaving work and doing everything we can to rebuild as soon as possible.”

Several cats fled the building at the time of the crash and while most have been located, Scoular said they are “still searching desperately” for the two remaining missing cats, Cherry and Faramir.

“We are mourning the loss of Valeris, who did not survive the crash,” Scoullar added. “We have created a fund in her honor. Donations made to the Valeris’ Legacy Fund will help us continue our lifesaving work and restore our safe haven for rescue pets.”