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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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February
2008
Volume 14 -
Number 1 |
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What
happened to the animals during the 2007 California Wildfires?
By: Brian Noble During the 2007 southern
California wildfires, over 1,800 homes were lost and property damage surpassed
$1 billion. Both state and federal agencies assisted with the response
and recovery efforts. It is estimated that over half a million people
had to flee from their homes during this event. Obviously these events
were devastating to the human population. But, what happened to the
animals of southern California? Animals such as family pets, local
wildlife, and animals living in captivity all need to be taken into consideration.
The following paragraphs will outline how various agencies have donated their
time, resources, and sometimes their homes in an effort to provide safety
to these animals.
Several small local agencies and businesses have assisted with the care of displaced animals during this event. Staff from the Helen Woodward Animal Center helped evacuate an estimated 400 household pets. The center also served as an evacuation center. As an extra demonstration of commitment, some staff and volunteers allowed their homes to become temporary housing facilities. Once the stranded animals were centralized, agencies such as the San Diego Humane Society provided continual care to the animals. It is estimated that this agency alone provided comprehensive care to 5,000 animals. Also, this agency delivered much needed hay to 200 horses and cattle in the Pauma Valley, which is several miles north of San Diego (1, San Diego). Qualcom Stadium, the local football stadium, was utilized as a safe haven for humans. Although pets were not allowed within the stadium, accommodations were made that allowed the pets to stay within the stadium’s parking lots. San Diego based Petco, donated pet crates and carriers that were utilized in order to carry and transfer small pets. Local Del Mar Fairgrounds was also a large evacuation shelter. The housing within the fairgrounds allowed humans and pets alike, to get away from the soot and smoke of the fires. Thousands of people and hundreds of pets were evacuated to this site. One reporter has been quoted as saying the Del Mar race track has become a makeshift Noah’s ark for dogs, goats, and llamas (4, Animal Rescue). The San Diego Zoo’s Veterinary Medical Center also served as an evacuation point during the 2007 wildfires. Shelter and daily supplies were provided to the animals by the zoo staff. Various zoo exhibits were threatened by the fire. Fortunately, due to a coordinated evacuation plan the zoo only suffered minimal losses (2, Fire Update). Other small, out of town organizations have also assisted with wildlife assistance. The Human Society Disaster Team from Billings, Montana drove a 30 foot horse training, filled with supplies, crates, and horse panels to California in order to rescue and assist animals that were left in the wake of the fire (3, CA Wildfire). The team, comprised of three volunteers, are a good example of relatively small groups making a large difference. The centralized theme seems to be focused upon evacuation points. Animals were transferred to large safe havens. At this point, local, state, and private organizations assisted by providing much needed manpower, food, and shelter among other valuable resources. Without a centralized evacuation point, continual care to the California animals would have been disorganized and difficult. Sources: 1. San Diego Fire Animal Rescue Update http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter__HarrisWitchcreekFire 2. Fire Update from the Wild Animal Park http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/fire-update-from-the-wild-animal-park/ 3. CA Wildfire Animal Rescue with HSUS http://art4animals.blogspot.com/2007/10/ca-wildfire-animal-rescue-wtih-hsus.html 4. Animal Rescue Amidst California Wildfires http://popartpet.com/blog/2007/10/24/animal-rescues-amidst-california-wildfires/ |