The San Diego Humane Society is stepping in to help animals affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, with a recent initiative to foster dogs displaced by the emergency. On Monday, the organization facilitated the transport of 16 large dogs from the Pasadena Humane Society, where they had been up for adoption. These dogs were moved to San Diego to free up space for animals in need during the ongoing wildfire crisis.
The San Diego Humane Society received 39 dogs from Pasadena’s shelter, all of which had families already interested in adopting them. This effort aimed to create room for more animals arriving due to the fires, according to Jordan Frey, the marketing manager for the San Diego Humane Society.
Currently, the organization is actively seeking foster families, particularly for large dogs and those that need to be the only pet in the home. Nina Thompson, a spokesperson for the Humane Society, emphasized the urgent need for volunteers, stating that nearly 90 people had already applied to foster, but there remains a significant demand for homes suited to larger dogs or those requiring isolation from other pets.
Among those stepping up to help, Stacie Mittelman volunteered to foster a German Shepherd, saying, “If one dog gets to spend one week outside of a shelter or not in a crate, then that’s what I can do.”
In addition to fostering efforts, the San Diego Humane Society is providing critical support for animals in the evacuation zones of the Eaton Fire, which has scorched 14,000 acres and caused widespread damage since it began last week. The Humane Society’s emergency response team is working alongside first responders to rescue animals trapped behind fire lines, evacuating them when possible and delivering necessary supplies.
Despite the devastation, some animals have been rescued, including nine chickens and pea hens in Altadena. The team also helped with evacuating koi fish, as reported on social media.
As of now, more than 400 animals, including those injured or displaced by the fires, have been taken in by the Pasadena Humane Society. The full scale of the disaster’s impact on animals remains uncertain.
For those interested in fostering or assisting, the San Diego Humane Society continues to encourage applications.