Los Angeles FIRE Evacuation Animal Services Hotline: (213) 270-8155
Eaton Fire Animal Rescue Hotline: (626) 577-3752
Since the wildfires began burning in Los Angeles, people across the county have lost their homes and belongings to the ravaging flames. Alexis Kim (9) was one of the evacuees and “…left [her] home in a rush because [she] was afraid [her] house would burn down.”
In the panic to escape the rapidly moving fires, some people were forced to leave their pets behind. Hundreds of animals, including dogs, cats, and birds, were trapped within their own homes. However, a courageous group stepped up to save the lives of these pets: the Pasadena Humane Society.
Established in 1903, the nonprofit organization provides animal services and has aided “47,000 animals through adoptions, wildlife rehabilitation, lost & found, veterinary services, training classes, and surrender prevention assistance” (Pasadena Humane).
When the Eaton fire began to rage, the shelter took it upon itself to provide a shoulder for the community to lean on. Pasadena Humane PR and Communications Manager Kevin McManus says, “It’s our duty to be the ones people rely on for animal support during this traumatic event. People worked 12 to 15-hour days to care for the animals.”
Many rescued pets suffered from burns and injuries Pasadena Humane has taken care of. In one instance, Kevin McManus shares, “A dog named Canelo came in on January 8 or 9. His family was evacuating with him, and in the confusion, he somehow jumped out of their car. By the time they realized what had happened, they couldn’t find him.
“They thought he was gone, but thankfully, someone spotted him and brought him to us–at that point, he already had burns on his paws, so we had to treat the burn wounds for 3 weeks. Just last Thursday, his people were able to reclaim him because he had finally recovered.
“When he saw his dad, he was so excited; he was jumping up and licking his face, which was one of the many things that made me cry in the last month. Stories like this remind us of the rewarding work we do to have these happy moments.”
Through Pasadena Humane’s efforts and those of several others, including Wings of Rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, and independent rescuers, pets are being housed in numerous shelters, waiting to be claimed by their owners. The animals that have returned to their owners have had joyful reunions, with both animals and owners expressing elation and relief.
Since some community members have no means of searching for their pets, they have taken to sharing on social media to find them. On Facebook, several groups have dedicated themselves to providing a platform to help people reunite with their furry or feathery family members. One group, titled “SAVE LA FIRE PETS (Lost & Found Animals of LA Area Fires),” states that their mission is “helping families in Los Angeles and their beloved pets reconnect in the aftermath of these devastating fires.”
Rescuers have placed containers of food and water near destroyed homes in the hopes of luring pets into safe arms and providing a bit of comfort amidst the rubble. In heartfelt posts, users have shared pictures of their lost pets or ones they have seen on the streets.
With the community’s efforts, pet owners in LA County will have an increased chance of reuniting with their pets. Although this is difficult to achieve, shelters and rescuers are doing everything possible to identify animals and reconnect them with their families. Rescued pets have been listed on Pasadena Humane’s Pet Connect, which provides information about pets’ gender, animal type, and location to make it easier for owners to find them.
Shelters like Pasadena Humane manage their animals with compassion and have found many of their homes. “Even though some may not have homes to go to, the happy part has been having the owner see their pet again,” Kevin McManus expresses.
As of February 1, with the recent rainfall and firefighters’ efforts, the Eaton, Hughes, and Palisades fires have been extinguished. As pets find their way back into warm embraces with rescuers’ aid, families will find solace in reuniting with the animals they call home.
