As wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, local animal shelters are appealing to the public to help provide homes for pets displaced by the disaster. The fires have left countless animals separated from their families, with shelters nearing capacity and struggling to accommodate the influx of displaced pets. LA Animal Services and Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control are offering fee-waived adoptions for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens through January, thanks to sponsorship by nonprofit organizations Petco Love and Annenberg PetSpace. This initiative aims to encourage community members to foster or adopt pets, easing the strain on overcrowded shelters.
“By fostering, adopting, or helping to reunite lost pets with their families, we can provide some relief to the many animals who are affected by these fires,” said Annette Ramirez, interim general manager of LA Animal Services. Residents are encouraged to foster pets, providing temporary care until animals can be reunited with their owners or adopted. Starting Wednesday, additional volunteers will be on-site at LA Animal Services shelters from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist potential foster families. Adoption is another critical way to help, offering displaced pets permanent homes and freeing up essential space in shelters for others in need. Those interested in adopting can visit the LA Animal Services or Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control websites to view profiles of available pets.
Reuniting lost pets with their families is also a top priority. Petco Love Lost, a free national database using photo-matching technology, helps pet owners reconnect with their missing animals. Owners can upload images of their lost pets to the platform, while finders of lost animals are encouraged to report discoveries, increasing the chances of successful reunions. Lost pet listings are also available on city and county websites, providing another avenue for families searching for their beloved companions.
Shelter leaders remain optimistic that Angelenos will step up during this critical time. “We know Los Angeles is a compassionate city, and we are counting on our residents to help us in this critical moment,” Ramirez said. Both city and county shelters operate seven days a week, with specific hours listed online to ensure resources are accessible to those looking to help.
The use of innovative tools like Petco Love Lost has been instrumental in reuniting pets with their families. By leveraging photo-matching technology, the platform allows for quicker identification of lost animals, expediting the reunion process during emergencies like the current wildfires. For those who have found lost pets, the platform provides simple tools to report discoveries and share information. These efforts have already facilitated many successful reunions and continue to be a vital resource in the recovery process.
In addition to fostering and adoption, residents can support displaced pets by donating to shelters or nonprofit organizations. Financial contributions help provide essential resources such as food, medical care, and temporary shelter for animals in need. Volunteering time at local shelters is another way to assist, as shelters are stretched thin managing the increased demand for care. The shelters’ coordinated efforts aim to alleviate the burden on animals and their caretakers, ensuring that every pet affected by the wildfires receives the care and support they need.
The wildfires have caused widespread devastation, leaving both people and pets in desperate need of assistance. This crisis is an opportunity for Los Angeles to come together and demonstrate its compassion and resilience. By fostering, adopting, or donating, residents can play a crucial role in helping displaced pets find safety and care. For more information on how to help, including fostering, adoption, or donating, visit the LA Animal Services or Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control websites. With the collective efforts of compassionate Angelenos, the community can ensure that no pet is left behind during this challenging time. Together, Los Angeles can provide a brighter future for the animals affected by the wildfires.
