Smoke rolled from the roof of the Zunic Veterinary Clinic, 2200 W. First St. The fire was reported before 8 a.m.
Firefighters from Springfield Twp. battled the fire, and city of Springfield firefighters provided mutual aid.
Firefighters declared the fire under control about 8:30 a.m. and requested a representative of the state fire marshal’s office to assist in determining the cause of the fire.
Clark County Humane Society representatives arrived to assist.
Firefighters and a veterinarian provided oxygen to several of the animals.
Chuck Chrislip of the Humane Society said the animals suffered from smoke inhalation but none appeared to have been burned in the fire.
“Most of them look like they are coming around,” Chrislip said, in part because rescuers were able to get to the animals fairly quickly.
“Time does matter,” he said.
Dr. Vicki Zunic, owner and veterinarian, said, “I believe some of the cats would not have made it without the oxygen therapy.”
Zunic has owned the clinic since 1986. She said she will take the animals to her home farm, then call owners to reunite them with their pets.
Zunic said the clinic’s roof likely would need to be replaced and the front office was damaged.
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