Yesterday Wayne Pacelle, the President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, sent out an email updating HSUS supporters about the wildfires in California.
Animals Affected
His email painted a dire picture of the firestorms sweeping the southern portions of the state that rapidly caused hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
We’re talking homes of every sort, from ones in subdivisions to ones on farm and ranch lands, modest abodes to ones owned by celebrities. This means that domestic pets as well as wildlife and livestock are in peril.
“Some areas hardest hit by these fires are home to families with horses. More than a few were unable to evacuate all their animals. I’m told that sometimes the best that people could do was open the gates and let their horses run free — to race ahead of towering flames in a sprint for their lives.”
~-Wayne Pacelle-~
Who’s Helping
Some Red Cross shelters are accepting pets, which helps evacuees. I remember our experiences with hurricanes in Florida. There were those who had no friends or family to go to or who couldn’t afford a hotel who needed the shelters. They were the ones who set their pets free to fend for themselves. That caused quite a controversy and sparked the outcry for pet friendly hurricane shelters, which they now have and so does California apparently.
HSUS volunteers trained as disaster responders went to help authorities of various agencies in San Diego, bringing with them portable clinics and various equipment. They also helped create a temporary shelter that’s taken in 350 horses.
The ASPCA is helping too, via funding that will provide for hay and equine expenses.
Basically, all animal-welfare organizations are pulling together to help animals of all types make it through these wildfires.
How You Can Help
If you live in the area, open your home to friends in need with pets if you possibly can. Or volunteer to help a local animal agency. Or drop off things like pet food, bottled water, crates, litter boxes, or blankets.
If you don’t live near the area but still want to help, make a donation. The HSUS has a link where you can donate to their Disaster Relief Fund. This will help them continue their large animal shelter services plus their search and rescue work during this crisis and in future crises.
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