Southern California animal welfare groups are seeking the public’s help as they assist pets displaced or left behind after their human companions were forced to flee their homes due to ongoing wildfires.
Why It Matters
Around 180,000 residents in Los Angeles County and other parts of Southern California have been under mandatory evacuation orders due to the fires over the past few days. In many cases, pet dogs, cats and other animals have been lost in the chaos or were left behind during evacuations.
What To Know
Animal welfare groups in the Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California are actively involved in supporting fire recovery efforts. Most of the groups are dealing with limited resources and seeking donations. Some are also asking local animal lovers to adopt or foster pets affected by the fires, or for other help from volunteers.
Erin O’Connor, spokesperson for West Los Angeles-based Best Friends Animal Society, told Newsweek in an email on Thursday that her group was both working to support other local animal welfare organizations that are struggling amid the chaos and to ensure the safety of its own pets and staff.
“To help make room for displaced pets, Best Friends brought in 17 cats and dogs from Pasadena Humane that were under the care of the shelter before the Eaton fire began,” O’Connor said. “With many pets being boarded at Pasadena Humane while their families are under evacuation orders, Best Friends taking in these pets creates more space for Pasadena-area residents to keep their pets safe.”…