The ASPCA’s Jenn Cherry, center, with Georgia, left, and Louise.

Three cats trapped in their homes during the Eaton Fire were reunited with their owners after being rescued last week by ASPCA responders.

Shadow and Bandit, belonging to Georgia S. of Altadena, California, and Bella, a 14-year-old belonging to Louise M., also a resident of Altadena, 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 and Louise’s stories illustrate 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 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.

Georgia’s cats Shadow, left, and Bandit.

“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. 

Louise’s Story

When Louise was forced to evacuate on January 9, she set a humane trap for Bella, her beloved 14-year-old cat.

Louise has had Bella, above, for 14 years.

“Bella’s feral nature makes her difficult to handle, and I’ve never been able to pick her up,” says Louise. “It was hard to leave her because I could see flames and fire on the hillside and everything south of me was burning. Embers were flying onto my back patio. I thought she might die.” 

Louise tried to return the next morning but was turned away. 

Surveying the devastation she calls “apocalyptic,” Louise contacted multiple agencies for help. Desperate to reunite with Bella, she drafted a press release highlighting the urgent need for animal rescue efforts and sent it to all the media and animal support facilities she could think of. 

Louise captured images of devastation in her neighborhood when she evacuated.

Three hours later, she received a phone call from Jenn.

“The fact that Jenn called me gave me hope,” says Louise, 70.

Jenn and Diane met Louise to collect her house key. They found Bella in the trap. 

“Bella let us know how upset she was,” Jenn says. “We secured her in our vehicle and gave her fresh water right away.” 

‘A Touching Moment’

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

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

Louise’s church arranged for her to live with a family in La Cañada Flintridge until the end of the month when she plans to move into a short-term rental apartment. Georgia took Bandit and Shadow back to her sister Mary’s house, now safe.

“We’re displaced, but comfortably displaced,” says Louise. “Bella has everything she wants, and I’m fine with three pairs of jeans, three T-shirts and a toothbrush.”

A Beloved Community

More than 4,000 homes were demolished in the Eaton Fire, but Georgia’s and Louise’s homes remain miraculously unharmed.

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

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

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

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

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

“It’s too special to give up on,” says Louise, a retired graphic artist who has lived in Altadena for six years. “I’ve made more friends here than in my entire life. Besides, where else am I going to go?”

A scene from Louise’s backyard.

“I hope we can rebuild,” she adds. “It’s the nicest community ever.” 

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.” 

Louise and Georgia are relieved their furry — and feathered — family members are safe.

Georgia’s finches stayed safe on her enclosed porch.

“Bella’s taken care of me for 14 years,” Louise says. 

“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 is incredible.”