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A worker cleans up last week after a pipe burst and flooded parts of the Humane Association of Central New York.

(Sarah Moses | smoses@syracuse.com)

Liverpool, NY -- The Humane Association of Central New York took to social media last week to ask for help after a pipe burst and flooded parts of the animal shelter damaging the ceiling, the shelter's supply of cat litter and the furnace.

The community sprung into action. Community members made donations and dropped off containers of cat litter. Local businesses also jumped in to help. A crew from Stanley Steemer arrived almost immediately to clean up the water.

The Humane Association also received a large donation from Angelo Chiodo, the owner of Chiodo Heating, Air Conditioning and Duct Cleaning. Chiodo, in conjunction with Goodman Manufacturing, donated four new furnaces and the installation to the shelter.

"Angelo Chiodo was simply amazing," Shelter Director Christine McNeely said in a news release. "He arrived at the shelter as soon as he heard we had a flood, asking us what he could do to help. He came back the following morning and serviced our furnaces for free and determined they were in catastrophic failure. We were aware that was happening, but didn't have the funds to replace the furnaces. Mr. Chiodo came back the following morning with a donation of four new furnaces and installation."

Installation of the furnaces starts today, McNeely said.

McNeely said many other companies and individuals have come to the need of the Humane Association. Many have offered to demo and repair not only the areas affected, but the connecting areas that are also in very poor condition.

"This disaster has turned into a community-wide effort to help the shelter," McNeely said. "We are extremely thankful to the community who support us year after year."

McNeely said the shelter has insurance and hopes that most of the damage will be covered, but the shelter is still in need. In addition to paying for the insurance deductible, the shelter is still in need of electrical, masonry and additional HVAC duct work that needs replacement.

Donations can be made online. Click on the "Please, Donate!" flag on the screen. Donations can also be mailed to the Humane Association of CNY, 4915 1/2 West Taft Road, Liverpool, NY 13088.

The Humane Association of CNY is a no-kill, not-for-profit, animal shelter housing anywhere from 200 to 400 animals on a daily basis since 1966. The Humane Association is completely privately funded.

» Related: Influx of puppies at Humane Association of CNY creates need for adoptions, donations (video)

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315