How to help the animals affected by California's wildfires

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With 73 dead and more than 1,000 others missing, authorities continue their search for those who perished and those who survived the fiercest of wildfires across California.

The devastating wildfires have also put countless animals in danger, including displaced pets, stray animals and wildlife caught in fire zones.

As the wildfires rage on, local nonprofits have been working around the clock to help animals in need of medical care and a safe place to stay.

Below are some of the many nonprofits, rescues and shelters on the ground that could use your support.

The Humane Society of Ventura County

Based in Ojai, Calif., The Humane Society of Ventura County does not receive any funding from the city, county or state. "ONE HUNDRED percent of your donations stay right here to benefit directly the animals in our community," the nonprofit wrote in a Facebook post.

Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation assists emergency response and disaster relief efforts through its Noah’s Legacy fund by providing supplies, training and equipment, including animal safe trailers that provide temporary sheltering for pets whose owners have evacuated.

By Thursday, the county's animal control department, which the foundation supports, reported caring for more than 800 displaced animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, llamas, donkeys, birds, and other large animals. Their services are critical as communities continue to rescue animals from wildfires and other disasters.

The North Valley Animal Disaster Group

The nonprofit works across the North Valley to help all domestic animals and farm animals, including wildlife, affected by disasters like the wildfires with emergency temporary sheltering, evacuation, medical care, identification for reuniting animals with their owners or adopting into good, suitable permanent homes.

By Sunday, the organization reported handling over 3,000 calls for service as a result of the Camp Fire. The nonprofit is currently caring for more than 1,365 animals across its shelters.

Butte Humane Society

One of the oldest nonprofits in Butte County, Butte Humane Society has been caring for animals in need since 1911. In the wake of the wildfires, the organization has opened the BHS Pet Food & Supply Pantry to help displaced owners and their pets.

The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA

The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is also one of many shelters taking in animals from neighboring organizations so that they can make space for animals evacuated due to the wildfires. The organization is also working tirelessly to assist displaced animals, including tending to horses and rendering burn treatments.

 

The San Francisco SPCA

The fourth oldest humane society in the U.S. and the founders of the no-kill movement, the San Francisco SPCA is at the forefront animal welfare. The rescue touts the lowest euthanasia rate of any major city in the county, and on Wednesday it transferred nearly 30 animals from the Camp Fire to its facility. The organization is currently working hard to find the owners of displaced cats, who they are treating for mild to severe burn injuries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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