Philadelphia ( CNN ) Hazel Donnelly was taking her husband to the doctor when they got a call that their apartment building was on fire . Her first thought was about her 17-year-old cat , Kramer . `` I do n't have children on my own , so my cat is like my child . I became hysterical , '' said Donnelly , 50 . `` What if ( he ) did n't make it ? '' Once she arrived home , Donnelly implored firefighters to get her cat , but they were busy trying to control the blaze . Then Red Paw Emergency Relief arrived . The nonprofit assists pets and their owners when disaster strikes . Jen Leary , a former firefighter who founded the group , met with building residents and , once the fire was out , retrieved the animals . `` Everyone who received their pets started to cry , '' said Donnelly . No one was hurt , but the Donnelly 's apartment had severe damage , and they were n't sure where they were going to stay . Donnelly was thrilled to learn that Red Paw could provide free short-term care for Kramer . `` When ( someone ) loses everything in a fire , they should n't then be forced to lose their pets -- their family members -- as well , '' Leary said . `` Letting them know , 'We 'll take care of your animal like it is our own , ' it means the world to people . '' Since 2011 , Leary and her group have provided emergency assistance to nearly 1,000 animals and their families throughout southeastern Pennsylvania . Like the Red Cross , but for animals . Several years ago , Leary began working as a firefighter and American Red Cross volunteer . She would often arrive at a disaster scene and see traumatized survivors struggling to care for their pets . Do you know a hero ? Nominations are open for 2014 CNN Heroes . `` They 'd ask , 'What am I supposed to do with my dog ? Who is going to help find my missing cat ? How is my pet going to get medical care ? '' said Leary , 36 . `` There just was n't anyone there to help the other part of the family . '' Pets were sometimes taken to shelters or abandoned . The situation broke Leary 's heart . After a devastating fire in 2011 , Leary formed her organization and teamed up with the local chapter of the American Red Cross . Now , whenever the Red Cross responds to a disaster and discovers that an animal is involved , they call Leary . She believes it 's the only partnership of its kind in the United States -- one she hopes to replicate in other cities . Always on call . Leary 's group responds 24 hours a day , seven days a week to residential disasters such as fires , gas leaks and building collapses . Leary answers nearly all the calls herself . Her firefighter background gives her unique privileges . `` I 'm allowed into situations that other people might not be , '' Leary said . `` Once the fire is out and they 're just hitting hot spots , I 'll talk to the chief , and if they say it 's OK , I 'll go in . '' Rescuing animals is only part of what Red Paw does . Through a network of 400 volunteers , boarding facilities and veterinarians , the group provides emergency transportation , shelter , pet supplies and medical care to any pet involved in a disaster -- all for free . Leary 's home is the first stop for most animals that do n't need immediate medical care . They usually stay with Leary for a few days while they get vaccinated , spayed and neutered , if necessary . Then they are moved to foster homes until their families are ready to take them back . The group 's roster of animals has also included rabbits , ferrets , fish , birds , turtles and other reptiles . Reuniting families . Red Paw , which runs on donations , provides care for most animals for around 60 days . The group 's caseworkers check in with the owners weekly . When families are reunited with their pets , they receive a kit of supplies . `` Food , cat litter , bowls , medicine , whatever they need , '' said Leary . `` We want to make sure that they 're starting off the right way . '' If a family ca n't take their pet back , the group will find the animal an adoptive home . Red Paw cared for the Donnelly 's cat for more than three weeks . `` I cried when we were reunited , '' said Donnelly . `` They went above and beyond . I am so grateful . '' For Leary , helping families and their pets is what her work is all about . `` My hope is that it 's a fresh start , and they can move forward together , '' she said . `` After going through such a sad thing , it 's so good to have a happy ending . '' Want to get involved ? Check out the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team website at www.redpawemergencyreliefteam.com and see how to help .
Firefighters are often too busy battling disaster to rescue pets . Former firefighter Jen Leary founded Red Paw Emergency Relief to help pets and owners . The nonprofit rescues , boards and cares for animals until their humans get back on their feet . TL;DR A fire in a home destroyed the entire house of an elderly woman who had been caring for her pet cat since she was a child. Nominations are open for 2014 CNN Heroes .