Jen Leary , a former firefighter who founded the group , met with building residents and , once the fire was out , retrieved the animals . 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 .
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 .