In the United States, firefighters save not only people but also animals.😍😮(Video)

Hundreds of animals are in need of care from humane organizations in Southern California, the region dealing with fast-moving wildfires displacing countless residents.

“This is not going to be solved in a day or a week,” said Ana Bustilloz, communications and marketing director for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA). “We are ready to help.”

From dogs and cats to horses, birds and even turtles, rescue groups have taken in a variety of animals. While some pets are temporarily boarding while their owners remain in evacuation centers or hotels that do not allow animals, others are being treated for injuries sustained during the wildfires.

“We have taken in stray animals near the fires, some with burns, beards singed, dehydrated or with paw injuries,” shared Dia DuVernet, president of Pasadena Humane. She noted her facility has taken in over 400 animals, including some receiving oxygen for smoke inhalation in her veterinary ICU.

Pasadena Humane has housed every animal brought to her doors — from dogs and cats to birds and even a pony that was walked into the shelter of its desperate owner before being transferred to an equestrian center.

As the wildfires have already claimed lives and displaced over 100,000 people — animal rescue groups fear the number of displaced pets are only rising. “This is the calm before the storm,” said Christi Metropole, president of Stray Cat Alliance.

The spcaLA has taken in about 50 animals for temporary boarding, including a 30-year-old parrot named Ducky who has charmed staff with phrases like, “I’m quite a birdie!” Each incoming pet is given an exam by a veterinarian, blankets, toys and treats to provide comfort during this difficult time.

Wildfires pose serious risks to pets, especially those with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet owners are encouraged to keep animals indoors when air quality is poor, and to have an evacuation kit with essentials such as food, water and a designated carrier.

Further away from fire zones, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank has also stepped in, sheltering 200-300 additional horses evacuating from areas threatened by smoke and flames. The facility even welcomed a 200-pound pet pig named Oliver when his owners struggled to find a safe place for him.

The centers have been inundated with donations, from pet food to bales of hay, with some like Pasadena Humane now requesting financial assistance due to limited storage space.

Amid the chaos, meetings between pets and their returning owners have provided moments of joy. “Seeing families reunited with their pets feels like a small step in the right direction,” said Bustilloz, reflecting on the week’s challenges and victories.

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