In response to the devastating wildfires burning across Southern California, the ASPCA Disaster Response team is currently on the ground, at the request of Pasadena Humane, to provide subject matter expertise and critical support for impacted communities. In addition, we are ensuring the safety of our own staff based in Southern California, including those who oversee the ASPCA Kitten Foster Program in Los Angeles. Earlier this week, more than 30 cats and kittens in the care of the ASPCA near the disaster zone were relocated as a precautionary measure and are now safely in foster care in currently unaffected areas.

"Wildfires are incredibly destructive, and the current series of unprecedented fires burning throughout Los Angeles are no exception, severely impacting people and their pets," said Susan Anderson, director of ASPCA Disaster Response. "The ASPCA is dedicated to collaborating closely with our partners in California, including organizations directly affected by the fires and agencies outside the disaster zone supporting our relief efforts, to safeguard the health and safety of displaced pets and shelter animals."

We are continuing to communicate with animal welfare organizations and emergency management agencies across the impacted areas to assess where we can continue to best support the most critical needs. We are grateful to our partners outside of the disaster zone, including the San Diego Department of Animal Services and the San Diego Humane Society, for their assistance with these urgent response efforts.

While our response in California continues, you can find lifesaving tips for pet owners who may be preparing to potentially evacuate from their homes at aspca.org/disasterprep. For those in need of immediate assistance with an animal, please contact the local agency within your community that handles animal disaster response, which may be your emergency management agency, law enforcement, animal services or local animal shelter.

For those interested in supporting animal response efforts, consider donating to or volunteering with one of the many local animal welfare organizations in Southern California – including Pasadena Humane – that are working tirelessly to keep California’s animals and pet owners safe. Some animal welfare organizations outside of the disaster zone, such as San Diego Humane Society, are also taking in displaced homeless animals and may be looking for adopters and foster caregivers. You can directly support the ASPCA’s lifesaving efforts by visiting aspca.org/lawildfire.