Humane Association manager Didgit Weber lives next door and went into the burning building late Monday.
She tried to save the 50 to 60 cats, but saw it was too late, so she tried to save the dogs.
``I always tell people the shelter is my home, and I just come next door to the house to visit,'' she said. ``And when you work so closely with the animals, they become like family. I think everyone here felt the animals were family.''
Linda Hebert, association president, said only 11 of about 40 dogs were able to be saved in the fire that started at about 11 p.m. No cats survived.
A Chippewa County sheriff's deputy passing by reported the fire, which kept some firefighters on the scene until 3 a.m. Tuesday.
``It was a pretty bad fire,'' Chippewa Falls Fire Chief Tom Larson said.
A large clothes dryer used to dry towels and rugs may have been the fire's origin, he said.
The saved dogs were taken to the Eau Claire County Humane Association, said firefighter Trevor Weiland, who works for the city and the town of Anson.
Linda Burlingame, former association president, said the fire may have destroyed records, computers, supplies and other equipment the group planned to use in the new facility being built on the site.
Mark Woodford, Anson's assistant fire chief, said the animals died of smoke inhalation.
``Whether it's a barn fire where cattle die or one like this where it's pets, it's emotional for everyone. The one good thing is that they didn't burn to death,'' he said.
The only bright side is the new shelter is close to being finished, Burlingame said.
The Chippewa Falls Police Department brings animals to the shelter several times a week, Captain Wayne Nehring said.
``I don't know what our options are yet,'' Nehring said. ``If it's a bite case, we may have to pay a vet to impound them.''
