ASPCA Assists L.A. County Department of Animal Care & Control in Helping Hundreds of Animals Displaced by Devastating Southern California Wildfires

Los Angeles, Calif.—At the request of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control (DACC), the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) deployed its disaster response team to assist in emergency sheltering efforts for animals impacted by the Woolsey Fire that has destroyed an estimated 90,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The ASPCA has been on the ground since Sunday providing resources and personnel to help hundreds of displaced animals and their owners at pet-friendly evacuation shelters, including Hansen Dam and Pierce College. Additionally, the ASPCA will support DACC with requests for assistance with animals remaining in the impacted areas.

“The wildfires in Northern and Southern California are putting hundreds of thousands of people, including their pets, at grave risk and the ASPCA is committed to working alongside Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control to provide life-saving assistance for animals and pet owners impacted by this devastating situation,” said Dick Green, senior director of ASPCA Disaster Response. “We are working closely with local officials to continuously assess the situation and provide critical support to help rescue and care for animals impacted by these fires.”

The devastating Woolsey Fire has taken the lives of two people and forced more than 200,000 residents to evacuate. Residents in need of emergency sheltering for their pets or requiring assistance with pets who remain in the evacuated areas are encouraged to call 818-991-0071 or go to www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire.

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. In addition, they work closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities. Most recently, the ASPCA has assisted communities impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael and the Northern California wildfires in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.