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Title: Shelter Reunites Families With Pets Displaced by L.A. Wildfires
As the devastating Eaton Fire in Los Angeles ravaged homes and destroyed lives, Pasadena Humane stepped up to become a command post for displaced pets. The shelter worked tirelessly alongside other organizations like American Humane, K9 Youth Alliance, Marin Humane, ASPCA, Santa Barbara Humane, San Diego Humane Society, Banfield Foundation, and VCA Animal Hospitals.
Volunteers poured in, with hundreds of dedicated individuals helping sort donations for affected humans, cleaning laundry, directing traffic, and providing emotional support. The sheer scale of the disaster overwhelmed even this compassionate organization. Pasadena Humane Director, David McManus, recalled that they had never taken in so many animals before. “We had cats in offices and dogs in crates in our training room, and we were using all the kennels we have in our spay/neuter clinic for housing,” he explained.
As the shelter accepted hundreds of pets displaced by the fire, they did not charge families for their care. McManus emphasized that it was crucial to support those affected by the disaster. “We can’t do much about the fire or rebuild people’s homes, but we can at least assure people that their animals are in good hands while they’re with us, and we’re just as excited to see them go home as the people are to get them.”
Sadly, many pets suffered from burns caused by the blaze. One heart-wrenching case is that of Skinny Minnie, a cat being integrated into her new family’s life. The fire forced the couple who fed her to leave without her, and they were devastated when they couldn’t find her.
When Pasadena Humane received Skinny Minnie, she was in such bad shape that she was “unrecognizable.” With the help of oxygen therapy and care, she eventually began to recover, but multiple surgeries will be needed. For now, the shelter provides a temporary haven for her while she heals.
Reuniting families with their pets brought relief and hope during this crisis. Every time an animal went home, it boosted morale among volunteers and staff. “It was like, ‘OK, we’re getting closer to getting back to some kind of normalcy in getting through this crisis,'” McManus said, emphasizing the importance of shelter work.
Despite the trauma caused by the fire, Pasadena Humane still cares for around 150 animals whose families lost their homes. The organization welcomes financial donations and volunteers to help offset costs and provide support.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenreeder/2025/03/26/shelter-reunites-families-with-pets-displaced-by-la-wildfires/
