When a local animal shelter caught fire, an Atlanta homeless guy risked his life to save all 16 dogs and cats inside.
Keith Walker, 53, a homeless man, was on his way to W-Underdogs on December 18 to pick up his pitbull, Bravo, for a walk when he noticed the fire, according to shelter founder Gracie Hamlin.
Walker ran into the blazing facility to save the six dogs and ten cats trapped inside, as he boards his dog at the shelter at night.
Keith Walker, 53, a homeless man, is shown with one of the dogs he helped in rescuing when the W-Underdogs animal shelter in Atlanta caught fire on December 18th.
Walker, who has been homeless since the age of 13, was on his way to the shelter to get his own dog, which he leaves there at night.
The firemen had ‘called animal control, but Keith was already in the building bringing out the cats and dogs until everyone was secure,’ according to Hamlin.
Walker admitted that he was “nervous as hell” about his courage.
He told the news organization, ‘I’m not going to lie.’ ‘I was terrified to walk in there because there was so much smoke.’ God, on the other hand, placed me there to save those creatures.’
‘If you love a dog, you can love everyone in the world,’ he continued. ‘I knew I had to help all those other dogs because my dog is my best buddy and I wouldn’t be here without him.’
Walker was dubbed Hamlin’s “guardian angel” by Hamlin.
The firemen had ‘called animal control, but Keith was already in the building bringing out the cats and dogs until everyone was secure,’ according to Hamlin.
Walker admitted that he was “nervous as hell” about his courage.
He told the news organization, ‘I’m not going to lie.’ ‘I was terrified to walk in there because there was so much smoke.’ God, on the other hand, placed me there to save those creatures.’
‘If you love a dog, you can love everyone in the world,’ he continued. ‘I knew I had to help all those other dogs because my dog is my best buddy and I wouldn’t be here without him.’
Walker was dubbed Hamlin’s “guardian angel” by Hamlin.
Walker can be seen with Bravo. W-Underdogs supplies the dog with food and medical care.
The W-Underdogs shelter, which is also the founder’s house, was rendered unusable as a result of the fire. The shelter and residence have been damaged as seen in the photo.
Fortunately, W-Underdogs was about to move to a new facility space in a week, so the animals had somewhere to go.
The fire department concluded that the incident, which originated in her kitchen, was an electrical fire, according to Hamlin.
More than a week after the fire, Hamlin told CNN that Walker’s rapid response to save the animals has left her’still in astonishment,’ since she’s been around fires and knows how quickly they flare up. He is a hero of mine.’
People have been quick to inquire how they can support Walker and start up fundraising initiatives on his behalf as word of his deeds has spread.
For him, a GoFundMe campaign has already generated more than $16,000.