LA wildfires: California animal shelter flooded with displaced, injured pets
LOS ANGELES (FOX 2) - Workers at the Pasadena Humane say they are overwhelmed with full cages and pets in need, but they won't stop helping animals displaced by deadly wildfires burning in southern California.
Why you should care:
The shelter has seen everything from dogs and cats to tortoises and other wildlife, such as roosters, during what employees have described as the largest influx of displaced animals they've ever seen. The humane society has taken in more than 400 animals.
"It's taken a toll on a lot of us, but we're doing our best. We're here to help the animals. It's kind of our duty and our honor to be helping them," said Alyssa Staniland, the philanthropy communications manager for Pasadena Humane.
Some of those animals suffered burns or smoke inhalation and require intensive care, while others are waiting for their families to find them. One of the worst cases the shelter has handled during the fires is a 5-day-old puppy found burnt and alone in a collapsed building.
"We don't know where her mother was or the rest of her litter, but that's a very small puppy who needs round-the-clock care," Staniland said.
While the shelter workers are inside tending to animals, a long line has been outside the shelter as people seek their missing animals. One of those people was Leroy Bennett, who wasn't home when his home burned.
He said his uncle, who is in a wheelchair, was able to get out with his large dog, but Bennett said his two smaller dogs, Gigi and Gaga, ran away. Unfortunately, his pets weren't at Pasadena Humane, so he will continue checking other area shelters in hopes of finding them.
What you can do:
Truckloads of donations have been pouring in. Pasadena Humane said the best way to help is with cash.
The Source: FOX 2 interviewed Pasadena Humane employee Alyssa Staniland and pet owner Leroy Bennett for this story.