ASPCA Assists Santa Barbara County Animal Services in Rescuing Animals Displaced by California Mudslides

Santa Barbara, Calif.—At the urgent request of Santa Barbara County Animal Services, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) deployed its disaster response team to help rescue animals impacted by mudslides that have devastated Montecito, California and neighboring communities. As part of the emergency effort, the ASPCA has been on the ground since Saturday providing animal search-and-rescue operations and responding to calls from displaced residents whose pets are in need of immediate care.

The fatal mudslides in Montecito have taken the lives of at least 20 people and forced thousands more to quickly evacuate their homes. This disaster and ensuing evacuations left many pets in danger. Residents who need assistance recovering pets from their homes or emergency sheltering for their pets are encouraged to contact Santa Barbara County Animal Services at their hotline (805) 681-4332.

“The life-threatening impact these mudslides have had on thousands of residents and their pets – especially after California already felt the wrath of back-to-back wildfires – is truly heartbreaking,” said Dick Green, senior director of ASPCA Disaster Response. “The ASPCA is committed to working alongside Santa Barbara County Animal Services to provide life-saving assistance for the many animals in danger due to this devastating situation.”

The ASPCA deploys its Field Investigations & Response team nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering, and reunification efforts during disaster situations including wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. Most recently, the ASPCA has assisted nearly 37,000 animals—mainly through distribution of critical pet supplies—in communities impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the wildfires in Northern California.