How to Help Pets Displaced by the Devastating Northern California Wildfires

The deadliest wildfires in state history continue to burn in California’s wine country, destroying more than 120,000 acres. Over 30 people have died so far, and hundreds remain missing.

Thousands of people have lost their houses, and shelters are taking in their pets until they have a place to call home. Here are some of the ways you can help them.

Sonoma Humane Society

The Sonoma Humane Society has been overwhelmed by the generosity of donations of pet food and other items, which are being distributed to displaced pet owners. It currently does not need additional supplies. “We are thankful for the outpouring of support we are receiving,” it stated on its website Oct. 12.

Veterinary care for burn victims is also being offered free of charge. “Owned or stray animals affected by the fires can come to Sonoma Humane for basic treatment,” its website states. “If the care required is greater than we can provide, we will recommend referral to a critical care facility.”

You can help by:

• Adopting a dog from the shelter to make room for incoming strays and injured pets.
• Making an online cash donation, which is especially needed and appreciated. “You can choose to restrict your gift to ‘NorCal Fire Relief’ or consider giving a gift to ‘Help where it’s needed most’ to ensure we have the resources to support our fire relief efforts as well as the animals who were already in our shelters,” Sonoma Humane said.

Napa Humane

“We are so proud of our community and the way that everyone has come together and the outpouring of love and support,” stated Napa Humane on its Facebook page Oct. 12. “So many have lost so much and many are still here to help their friends and neighbors. Please stay safe.”

The humane society is providing temporary housing for an evacuated pet hospital. “Several kitties have come to us with burned paws, but most of them are still purring and allowing us to love them up,” according to an update.

Napa Humane also has a mobile unit available at the Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center that’s being used to house evacuated pets.

You can help by making an online cash donation.

Petaluma Animal Services

“Our employees are sleeping in their cars, rescuing in the fire area, staffing the evacuation center and handling the shelter,” Petaluma Animal Services reported on its Facebook page Oct. 12.

While it currently has enough supplies, what it needs most is “monetary donations for fuel and overtime costs plus supplies needed in the field (hardware). Any amount is helpful and we appreciate your support right now.”

You can help by making an online cash donation.

Marin Humane

Marin Humane has been offering emergency boarding for pets free of charge. To reduce the stress on this and other shelters in wine country, its animal control officers in fire zones are helping non-injured animals “shelter in place” in burned areas, “meaning we leave food and water for them and record the animal’s location,” according to the Marin Humane Facebook page Oct. 13. “Injured animals are brought to veterinary hospitals or shelters.”

As with the other animal shelters impacted, thanks to generous donations, Marin Humane currently has enough food and supplies.

You can help by making an online cash donation so Marin Humane can continue offering free emergency boarding.

Photo via Petaluma Animal Services/Facebook