Animals Refugees Need Help in Burning California

As fires rage in southern California, hundreds of animals – dogs, cats, horses, pigs, parrots, the works – are in desperate need of food and shelter.  Local shelters are stretched thin to take in animals as the wildfires have forced human residents to flee to safety.

Many have fled, but a few stay put to help save the animals, such as actor William McNamara, who's been active with animal-rescue efforts throughout Los Angeles. He has posted nearly 100 videos on Instagram documenting his efforts. “It is very dangerous and I have to say my eyesight and my lungs are totally messed up,” McNamara tells TMZ.

McNamara is affiliated with the Eastwood Ranch, an animal rescue org founded and run by Alison Eastwood, daughter of Clint. The ranch has been taking in pets and other animals displaced by the fires.

Pasadena Humane, an animal resource center, has also been on the frontlines of nonstop rescue efforts. “We’ve taken in some animals that were found stray near the fire areas, who have come in with burns, singed paws, singed whiskers, dehydration,” Dia DuVernet, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane, tells NBC News. 

“It has been cats, dogs, birds, goats,” DuVernet said. “One desperate owner of a pony actually walked their pony down from the affected area to our shelter, where we cared for it until we could transport it to an equestrian center.” 

By the end of last week the group had taken in more than 400 animals, the most severely injured among them being treated for dehydration and smoke inhalation, some on oxygen at the center’s veterinary ICU.

A lot of other animal-rescue operations are working overtime this week.  Help them out by adopting, fostering, or just donating to the cause. Visit: Canine Rescue Club, Best Friends, Stray Cat Alliance, and I Stand With My Pack. See also spcaLA  and Animal Advocacy Network.

Photo credit: Pasadena Humane