Rescuing animals during disasters - United States
In a disaster, animals can’t ask for helpIFAW team deploys to California to support animal rescue amidst ‘monster’ Park Fire
IFAW team deploys to California to support animal rescue amidst ‘monster’ Park Fire
31 July 2024
Animals impacted by Park Fire evacuations reunite with families
6 August 2024
As of 6 August, the Park Fire is now the fourth-largest fire ever recorded in California, spreading across more than 414,000 acres. The fire was 34% contained on Tuesday morning, but the IFAW team remains on stand-by as recurring evacuations take place.
IFAW’s Jennifer Gardner clips an evacuated chihuahua’s nails while helping to manage an emergency shelter during wildfires in Tehama County, CA. Photo: Shannon Walajtys / © IFAW
The IFAW team assisted on the ground from 31 July to 5 August, managing shelter duties, assisting with case management, providing daily care to animals, and facilitating resource requests. Working with local organisation Buster’s Paw Prints, our team helped provide expertise and build local capacity in a county that has never set up an emergency shelter before. IFAW supported the direct care of 43 animals, and Buster’s sheltered a total of 70. All the sheltered, owned animals returned to their homes on Monday.
Alongside the Buster’s team, we conducted field visits in affected communities to assess animals and provide them with care and food. It’s not just about providing immediate care and support—it's about preparing this community to be disaster-ready in the long term, much better equipped to handle future disasters than they were when we first arrived.
We also worked to bring organisations together, connecting Buster’s with the North Valley Disaster Animal Group (NVDAG) and collaborating with the American Red Cross between counties to regionalise local support to families and pets.
The shelter closed as evacuation orders were lifted, but our team remains on stand-by. We are on call to return to help in Tehama County if needed, as the fires are still not over.
As the fifth-largest wildfire in the state’s history rages through northern California, IFAW is deploying to the area to support animal rescue efforts.
31 July 2024
In addition to the dozens of other fires burning across the western US and Canada, forcing thousands to evacuate, the Park Fire, which began on Wednesday, 24 July, has spread through more than 385,000 acres. It currently impacts Tehama, Shasta, Plumas, and Butte counties.
Local organisation Buster’s Paw Prints has been delegated by the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office to manage animal sheltering and related services during Park Fire response operations. A significant portion of Tehama County remains under evacuation orders or warnings.
As a trusted and committed partner in responding to wildfires in the region, the Buster’s team contacted IFAW on Monday, 30 July, for support. They have opened a temporary shelter inside a large barn located out of harm’s way to support small domestic animals. This is their first temporary shelter, and as county services are overwhelmed, the organisation is working 24/7 alongside volunteers. Tehama County has also opened two temporary, self-serve shelters for large animals.
On 31 July, IFAW’s team began deploying to Tehama County to assist with the duties and operations of the temporary shelters, discuss mutual aid between counties, and support pet reunification and placement for longer-term needs.
IFAW has a long history working with NVADG and county authorities in the nearby Butte County, responding to past wildfires. Fortunately, Park Fire evacuation orders for most of Butte County have now been lifted.
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