We inhabitants of California live with the reality of imminent danger every day. But of necessity, we often put that reality aside as we go about our daily lives. At other times we face disaster courageously, working closely with our fellow citizens to assist those in need. An emergency can often bring out the best in everyone.
In October, the wildfires in Southern California tragically killed many people, destroyed thousands of homes and devastated hundreds of thousands of acres.
Seven-month old Angeles and her 2-month-old kitten Cedar traveled up from San Bernadino to make room for animals displaced by the southern California fires. [And to spread the message about early Spay & Neuter!]
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Not so well known is the toll that the raging fires have taken on wildlife and domestic animals. Untold numbers of wild animals fled, or perished in the fires. Many domestic animals also died or were injured in the blaze. Others were separated from their humans in the panic and precipitate evacuations that took place, or were rescued with them.
Animal shelters in the affected areas have been inundated with lost domestic animals, or have given temporary shelter to pets that are not able to stay with their displaced owners in transient accommodation. The resulting influx of fire-affected animals has put at risk the lives of homeless animals already in these shelters prior to the conflagration.
At the height of the wildfires, the San Francisco SPCA received a phone call from the San Bernadino Animal Shelter. The shelter was attempting to relocate a number of adoptable kittens and cats that, because of overcrowding, would otherwise have to be euthanized to make way for victims of the fires. They had received no response from the overburdened shelters throughout Southern California, and being aware of The SF/SPCA's reputation for saving all adoptable cats and dogs, requested that we give protection to some of these animals. The Adoption Department immediately agreed to take up to 50 felines and during the next 24 hours the staff made an all-out effort to prepare for their arrival; some staff members gave up their day off to assist in the work. This was a dedicated team effort of which we are immensely proud.
The next day a volunteer from Southern California arrived with eleven kittens, apparently none the worse for wear after their long road trip. The SF/SPCA has now received a total of 40 wonderful, adoptable cats and kittens from San Bernadino, and after a period of isolation, medical attention and spay/neuter surgery, we expect to soon find loving homes in our community for these displaced cats..
One of the innovative programs that The SF/SPCA operates is called "Life Links"; adoptable cats and dogs are transferred to The SF/SPCA from outlying animal welfare agencies that are struggling to cope with high numbers of homeless animals. The rescue of the San Bernadino cats was a natural extension of this lifesaving plan. The hundreds of dogs and cats who travel the road from almost certain death each year are a living testament to the mission of The SF/SPCA and to all those who support that mission.
