Harley is one lucky dog.

Not only did he survive a raging inferno that killed scores of pets two days ago, but he's just gone to a loving new home.

The 15-month-old Shih Tzu was one of nine dogs rescued by firefighters as an early morning blaze gutted Durham Region Humane Society's animal shelter in Oshawa.

The $250,000 fire is still under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal's office, but shelter manager Ruby Richards said preliminary reports indicate it started in the ceiling and may – a sad irony for the cats – have been sparked by mice chewing through electrical wires.

"It was devastating," Harley's new owner, Judy Hannah, said of the fire. She and her husband, Barry, feared Harley, whom they had already adopted, was among the victims because he was at the Waterloo St. shelter waiting to be neutered before they could take him home.

"He is a sweetheart," Barry said yesterday as the happy pup wriggled in his arms after they collected him from the Oshawa Animal Services shelter, where the rescued animals were taken. The Newcastle couple lost their toy poodle to cancer two months ago.

Close to 100 cats, three dogs and several rabbits and rodents perished in the blaze. The initial death toll of 150 cats was downgraded after firefighters tallied the bodies yesterday.

Animal lovers across the country rallied to help as the news spread.

"It's been crazy here," said Richards. "People are very upset and some people have just been crying on the phone."

Donations poured in to their website and offers of temporary locations, food and supplies kept staff hopping all day.

Whitby mother Candie Abramson and her sons M.J., 13, and Quinton, 11, arrived at the Animal Services shelter on Farewell St. with cash donations in lieu of Christmas gifts for their teachers.

"How many coffee mugs and boxes of chocolates do they really need?" said Abramson. "We thought this way would benefit the little people with four legs."

Coincidentally, the 50 members of the Divine Light Spiritual Foundation in Oshawa had already picked the humane society for their annual charity donation.

"When we heard about the fire, we thought, `This is imperative, let's get this done now,'" said Rev. Alva Folkes of the $5,000 gift.

Animal welfare workers were thrilled with the public response.

But leaving so many animals unattended overnight shocked one Toronto pet owner, who questioned the society's ability to provide safe and adequate care.

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"I'm really angry about this," Wayne Webster said. "The victims in this tragedy were innocent and helpless animals ..."

Richards said the site is unsupervised at night because the shelter can't afford overnight staff.