Two cats trapped in their home during the Eaton Fire were reunited with their owner after being rescued on January 13 by ASPCA responders.

Shadow and Bandit, belonging to Georgia S. of Altadena, California, were rescued by Jenn Cherry, an animal rescue technician manager for the ASPCA’s National Field Response team, and Diane Chelsen, an ASPCA pro responder.

At the request of Pasadena Humane and LA County officials, Jenn and Diane, along with other ASPCA responders, are working alongside authorities to provide animal search and rescue, operational assistance and critical support for impacted communities. As of January 16, the ASPCA has responded to 112 service calls impacting 538 animals, including chickens, cats, goats, pigs, parakeets — even a gecko and a tortoise — many of whom were reunited with their owners.

Georgia’s story illustrates how the ASPCA honors and tirelessly works to preserve the human-animal bond, even in times of extreme crisis.

Georgia’s Story

On the afternoon of January 7, Georgia, a self-declared spry 72-year-old, realized that the dreaded moment had come: With high winds and wildfire bearing down, it was time to evacuate her home.

Flames rise in the distance outside Georgia’s Altadena home and on her street.

“Outside, I saw light, and the light got bigger,” she says. “Men were running up and down my street telling people to evacuate. Fire was visible in the distance.”

 Georgia grabbed leashes for her dogs, Max and Ruby, and loaded them for the short drive to her sister Mary's house in Pasadena. Unable to find Shadow and Bandit in the dark, she left them food and water — and for her six finches — housed in a large habitat on a covered porch. 

Georgia and her dogs initially evacuated to Pasadena.

“It was still windy that night,” says Georgia, who anxiously watched the news before bed.

Mary’s husband roused them at 6 a.m. to evacuate; the fire appeared to be closing in. They gathered their belongings and headed to the home of another sister, Michelle, 30 miles east in Pomona. Georgia tried first to drive home to check on Bandit, Shadow and the birds, but was unable to get into her neighborhood. The next day, she dialed Pasadena Humane’s helpline and left a message.

“Within 20 minutes, I got a call from Jenn,” she says.

Jenn and Diane, authorized to perform search and rescue in affected areas, offered to meet Georgia at a checkpoint to retrieve the keys to her house, which appeared to be out of immediate danger. Once inside, they retrieved Shadow and Bandit from a closet where they were hiding. They fed and watered the finches and scheduled follow-up visits.

Georgia’s cats Shadow, left, and Bandit.

Cats in tow, Jenn and Diane met Georgia at a checkpoint.

“We don’t often get to do reunifications in the field, so it was a touching moment filled with hugs,” Jenn says. “Being able to rescue and reunite these pets meant the world to me.”

A Beloved Community

More than 4,000 homes were demolished in the Eaton Fire, but Georgia’s home remains miraculously unharmed.

“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” she says. “Everything to the north of me is gone. It’s so sad. We loved the neighborhood.”

Despite the immense loss and ruin, Georgia vows to stay in Altadena.

A retired banker and widow, Georgia lived in Altadena with her husband and their two sons for 30 years. During other wildfires, she says her family simply sheltered in place.

Georgia, left, with her sisters Michelle, center, and Mary.

“I still can’t get over the devastation this time,” she says.

Giving Thanks

The ASPCA continues to respond to service calls, searching for pets and facilitating reunions.

“When we speak with people, we try to give them hope while remaining realistic,” says Jenn. “But it takes a toll.”

Georgia’s finches stayed safe on her enclosed porch.

Georgia is relieved her furry — and feathered — family members are safe.

“It’s amazing, the people I’ve met through this — we’re all helping each other,” Georgia says. “Jenn called me this morning after checking on my birds, and they’re doing fine. The ASPCA’s just been incredible.”