Helping Animals Affected by the Wildfires
When people hear about the California wildfires, they usually think about the thousands of people who were displaced and the loss of homes and communities. But in this sea of hopelessness there are stories of people who step up to help. Animal rescuers are part of these unsung heroes.
In the Eaton Fire in Altadena, reported Forbes, a firefighter was filmed comforting a frightened dog named Max that was left behind. Max is now safe at the Whittier Dog Club which is taking in animals that have been rescued from the wildfires.
Caring for animals large and small
Thousands of animals need help. There are videos on social media showing frightened wildlife running from the flames and from people who left their pets behind when they evacuated. TV/Radio host and horse lover Kerri Kasem filled her social media feed with ways to help horses – she has loved horses since she was three – and other animals.
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“I do everything I can for horses,” she told Forbes. “They’re incredibly intelligent and very intuitive and they can smell a fire faster than we can,” she explained. “When there are high wind warnings you need to get your horses out immediately or you’ll have major problems.”
Kasem has done rescue work for 11 years with Volunteer Ministers. The organization has sent her around the world to help with natural disasters. Since the wildfires began on January 7, she has worked to connect people in need with horse trailers and other items that are necessary to rescue these gentle animals.
Farm animals are also difficult to evacuate in fast moving wildfires and many need care if they are injured from the fires, according to Vox. Even if farm animals aren’t directly in the path of the fires, smoke can harm animals by making it difficult for them to breathe.
Pets have also been separated from their fleeing families or left behind when doing an emergency evacuation. People who have lost their homes may have to give their animals to shelters because they can no longer care for them. While the numbers are changing daily, more than 400 dogs and cats – and some more unusual pets – have been taken in by the nonprofit Pasadena Humane. Many of these animals are injured and in need of medical attention.
If you are under evacuation orders and need a place to stay with your small animals, you can go to the Westwood Recreation Center or the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center. The Santa Monica-based canine social club DOG PPL is also taking in displaced people and their pets. For people with larger animals like horses, you can bring them to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center or the Hansen Dam Recreation Area.
How you can help
You can help to support the local animal rescue organizations in the Los Angeles area by offering to foster pets, if it is safe for you to do so. You can also give donations of pet food and other necessities to local shelters but check first if there is still a need or if you should give monetary donations instead.
If you see injured wildlife, notify wildlife rehabilitation services, and make sure you keep your pets indoors to keep them safe from displaced predator animals. You can also donate to conservation groups that will help care for injured wild animals. While the numbers of wildlife lost in the fires may never be known, there are many kind people helping to treat injured animals.
Remember that kindness to all animals, large and small, matter and any help you can give will go a long way.