ASPCA Assists Lake County Animal Care & Control in Sheltering Displaced Animals from Intense Wildfire in Northern California

Lower Lake, Calif.—At the request of the Lake County Animal Care & Control and its animal disaster response team Lake Evacuation & Animal Protection (LEAP), the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has been on the ground since Tuesday assisting the local agency with field rescues and emergency sheltering for approximately 150 displaced animals—including cats, dogs, birds and livestock—affected by the Clayton fire.

According to news reports, the devastating fire has destroyed more than 175 buildings and homes in the area, forcing the evacuation of approximately 4,000 people in the community. The LEAP team acted quickly and established an emergency shelter at the former SPCA of Clear Lake facility where pet owners were able to seek temporary shelter for their pets and livestock.

“Many pet owners came back to retrieve their pets yesterday and we were pleased to see the number of animals at LEAP’s emergency shelter decrease significantly throughout the day,” said Lacie Davis, disaster response manager for the ASPCA. “Today, we will be assisting the LEAP team with field rescues as well as transporting the remaining owned animals from the emergency shelter back to Lake County Animal Care & Control until they can be reunited with their owners.”

LEAP and ASPCA responders will be checking individual residences for pets and livestock left behind, as well as conducting wellness checks requested by pet owners to provide food and water for their animals.

Animals rescued by the LEAP and the ASPCA are being examined and treated by veterinarians at the Lake County Animal Care & Control at 4949 Helbush Drive in Lakeport. Pet owners looking to report lost pets or rescue needs should contact the Lake County Animal Care & Control at (707) 263-0278.