As fires rage through Northern California, Haven Humane Society is on the front lines, providing refuge to the animals of families fleeing the region as well as those picked up by good Samaritans and first responders in the field since the disaster began. Currently, with evacuations ongoing, they’re sheltering over 700 animals whose people have been forced to leave their homes, as well as strays brought in since July 23, when the fires started. Happily, some of them are starting to go home as their families return.
Doing this is a huge effort that’s garnering huge community support, from the rescues that flocked to Haven’s Anderson headquarters to take in the regular inhabitants to make room for the refugees, to the 3rd grader who made lunches for the volunteers.
As you would expect with 700 stressed-out critters, Haven needs lots of volunteers, particularly those with vet tech experience and/or dog and cat handling skills. If you can take a shift, send an email with info about your availability, as well as details about experience and skills that will help Haven put you to work most effectively.
Also needed, everything from food and blankets to portable air conditioners for the AC-lacking buildings currently housing the critters.
And, of course, monetary donations, because every day brings new needs. See Haven Humane’s website for donation options.
Berkeley Humane is on-site now at Haven Humane Society, and the relief effort to move adoptable shelter animals away from Redding has begun. These pets will receive the care they need and continue their search for new homes out of harm’s way. With their rescue partners ARF, Placer SPCA and East Bay SPCA, over 100 pets are being loaded into transportation vehicles to come to the Bay Area. Please support Berkeley Humane’s efforts.
In addition to those organizations mentioned above, MAD Dog Rescue was loading up a van full of crates and pet supplies as people came to drop off donations; and the Milo Foundation was working with Pet Food Express to quickly load pallets with bags of food. The crates and litter boxes were ready to go, a lesson learned from previous fires.
