Los Angeles Wildfire: Animal Rescue Organizations Provide Shelter for Pets as Owners Escape the Blaze | US News
In California, animal rescue organizations are stepping forward to assist pets as their owners evacuate from the devastating wildfires.
The wildfires in Los Angeles have tragically resulted in at least 11 fatalities, with over 150,000 residents currently under evacuation orders.
Five significant fires are still raging, and as pet owners evacuate, they’re faced with the daunting challenge of rescuing their cherished animals from the rapidly advancing flames.
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Roxy, a white dog covered in ash, suffered severe burns and eye ulcers after being discovered in a collapsed home.
Pic: Pasadena Humane
Houdini the tortoise amidst evacuations from the Eaton fire.
Pic: Reuters/David Swanson
Many individuals have had to seek temporary shelter and, regrettably, surrender their pets to shelters.
From cats and dogs to horses, tortoises, birds, pigs, and more, rescue teams are witnessing a surge in the number of animals in need, with many requiring medical attention.
They are also caring for injured wild or stray animals.
“We are experiencing a notable increase in the number of burned and injured animals arriving at our shelter,” stated Dia DuVernet, CEO of Pasadena Humane.
“These animals are enduring the effects of smoke inhalation, singed paws, burns, and dehydration.”
‘It Was Chaotic’
Arianna Buturovic found her home surrounded by flames, leading her to evacuate “nearly 30 animals”.
“I managed to fit 15 dogs into a black Prius alongside two cats,” she explained.
With nine additional dogs and a pig still needing evacuation, she flagged down a truck full of young adults willing to transport them to safety.
Strong winds stirred embers from the Palisades fire.
Pic: Reuters/Ringo Chiu
However, she was unable to take her two ponies with her, so she left their pen open so they could escape if necessary.
“It was indeed chaotic,” she noted.
‘Strike Teams’
According to Pasadena Humane, they have welcomed over 400 animals into their care and are seeking donations for support.
The organization is collaborating with other animal welfare groups to deploy “strike teams” into affected areas, anticipating challenging and heartbreaking conditions upon arrival.
Meanwhile, spcaLA reported that its adoption center quickly filled up with “numerous dogs, cats, and even a 30-year-old parrot”.
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Edgar Hernandez outside the Pasadena Humane Society, ready to surrender his cat after evacuating his home in Altadena.
Pic: Reuters/Zaydee Sanchez
Jeff Murrell assists in evacuating a donkey from the wildfires.
Pic: Reuters/Carlin Stiehl
A cat admitted to Pasadena Humane suffered from serious burns.
Pic: Pasadena Humane
Los Angeles County Animal Care is currently caring for nearly 100 animals, primarily cats and dogs but also including pigs, a turtle, a bird, and a snake, according to spokesperson Christopher Valles.
‘Extremely Dangerous’ Evacuation
Dr. Annie Harvilicz had been in the process of relocating from an older animal facility in Marina del Rey when she decided to transform her exam, X-ray, and surgery spaces into an emergency shelter, inspired by her brother’s needs.
She took in 41 dogs, cats, and a bunny.
Some individuals requested her to accommodate their donkeys, but the challenges of transporting larger animals posed significant risks due to the wildfires, she noted.
Julia Bagan observed five horses trapped in their stalls in Altadena.
Jodi Lakatos unloads her last horse at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center following an evacuation from Altadena.
Pic: Reuters/Carlin Stiehl
Animal shelters are providing assistance to a variety of animals, not just cats and dogs.
Pic: Pasadena Humane
She mentioned that the horses had huddled in a corner of their stalls in an attempt to evade the flames but were unable to completely escape the danger.
When firefighters finally managed to free them using bolt cutters, one horse was found to be severely injured, Bagan reported.
She drove through the remains of the fire the previous night to rescue them, all while damaged power lines sparked dangerously overhead.
She described it as “the most chaotic and dangerous evacuation” she had ever experienced.
Nearly all the homes in the vicinity had been destroyed by the fire by the time she arrived.
The injured horse, a three-year-old black mare, suffered burns on her legs, tail, and mane, and the embers had caused ulcers in her eyes.
A veterinarian at an emergency equine hospital assessed the horse’s chances of survival at 50-50.
