Homeless Man Saves Every Animal in Atlanta Shelter: Thumbs up for Hero

A homeless man, Keith Walker, is being celebrated as a hero. He bravely rescued several animals from a fire at an Atlanta animal shelter. On December 18, a fire broke out at the W-Underdogs shelter. Walker, 53, rushed in to save 10 cats and 6 dogs.

Keith Walker’s Heroic Rescue

The fire ignited in the shelter’s kitchen when Walker arrived. He came to pick up his own pit bull, Bravo. Bravo stayed at the shelter overnight with permission from W-Underdogs’ founder, Gracie Hamlin. Walker felt “nervous as hell” about entering the burning building. However, he knew he had to act quickly to save the animals.

“I was really scared to go in there with all that smoke,” Walker told CNN. “But God put me there to save those animals. If you love a dog, you can love anyone in the world. My dog is my best friend. I wouldn’t be here without him. I had to save all those other dogs.”

Walker’s quick thinking and bravery ensured that all the animals, including 10 cats and 6 dogs, made it out safely.

W-Underdogs Founder Calls Him a “Guardian Angel”

Gracie Hamlin, the shelter’s founder, described Walker as her “guardian angel.” She recounted that Walker had already entered the building to pull the animals out to safety. This was even before animal control could arrive.

“I can’t thank him enough for saving my animals. I’m still in disbelief. Fires flare up so quickly, and his courage made all the difference. He is my hero,” Hamlin told CNN.

Shelter Fire Sparks Community Support

The day after the rescue, W-Underdogs shared an update on Facebook. They revealed that the fire department had determined the cause of the fire to be electrical. Although the fire was extinguished before it could consume the entire building, the shelter was left uninhabitable.

The shelter was in the process of moving to a new facility. Fortunately, this move allowed the animals to be relocated to their new, safe space. “They are all happy, warm, safe, and comfortable in their new temporary home,” W-Underdogs shared in a Facebook post.

GoFundMe Campaign Honors Walker’s Heroism

In recognition of Keith Walker’s heroic actions, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support him. The fundraiser quickly surpassed its original goal, raising over $27,000 as of Monday. The campaign organizers are working on ensuring that Walker receives the funds he needs. Additionally, a second GoFundMe campaign has been created. It aims to raise money for W-Underdogs and help the shelter recover from the fire.