DOUSMAN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Investigators are still processing a weekend fire in Dousman that killed more than 20 animals at a kennel.

Whomping Willow's Kennels was operated out of a home. But we are now learning the kennel was not legally licensed.

The house remains boarded up with police tape around it as this investigation continues.

Some of the families we spoke with are still grieving, others are feeling survivors' guilt.

Mandy and Nate Zawerschnik lost their dog, Tyson, in the fire.

Tyson, the Zawerschniks' dog, who died in the fire Zawerschnik family

Nate told us they're feeling "grief, a little guilt, and obviously a lot of anger."

Mandy said, "I just don't want to see this ever happen to anyone else, ever again."

Tyson was among the more than 20 animals that died Saturday when the Dousman home caught fire.

Western Lakes Fire District described it as a "heartbreaking mass casualty response."

Just after 2 p.m. Saturday, neighbors noticed smoke coming out of the house and heard dogs barking inside.

Sixteen dogs and 16 cats were pulled from the home. But crews were only able to resuscitate 11 animals.

Mandy and Nate had no idea there were that many animals in the house.

Mandy has known the owner of the kennel since second grade and assumed their dog would be taken care of.

She said, "We want to bring awareness to people that you can't just send your dog anywhere."

Other families were a little luckier.

Savannah Katula's dog, King, survived. She told us, "It's kind of like an up-and-down roller coaster. Taking it by the hour, honestly."

King, Savannah Katula's dog, survived the fire Savannah Katula

King suffered severe smoke inhalation. He's now on five medications and a pureed diet. Initial vet bills approached $5,000.

Katula said, "I feel like I shouldn't feel bad. At least he's home with me and he's okay, so try not to stress because he's here."

Now questions are building around the business.

Dousman municipal code requires kennels to be permitted, but the deputy clerk told us Whomping Willow's was not.

The owner also never told the village's plan commission she was running a business, as required.

The Zawerschniks say there are no winners in this story.

Nate said, "There's going to be a big example made from this. And we can only hope that she's held completely accountable for all this."

Savannah is pushing for empathy, saying of the owner, "She too lost her animals and her home."

The Village of Summit Police Department is investigating this fire.

We called the owner of the kennel and left voicemails, but so far, have not heard back from her.