By Hannah Deadman-Arnst
When the Human-Animal Alliance (H-AA) heard about Southern California’s recent devastating wildfires, they knew they had to do something to help.
“[This work] began within days of the fires—once we realized the magnitude, we knew we had to jump in,” says Jackie Ducci, founder of H-AA. “The challenge was: how do we identify the right partner on the ground?”
The Wellington, Fla. nonprofit supports programs that bring people and animals together, exemplifying the power of the human-animal connection. H-AA’s extensive vetting process enables them to partner with organizations that are on the frontlines caring for animals. Such was the case with Pasadena Humane, a community-supported animal resource center serving the Los Angeles area.
H-AA’s $25,000 grant enables Pasadena Humane to provide critical resources like food, medical supplies, and shelter to displaced or injured pets. It will also support their food bank and resource center, which offer free pet food, supplies, and low-cost veterinary services. These resources aid local families as they rebuild their homes and lives.
Pasadena Humane is the region’s designated evacuation center. They’ve rescued over 1200 animals since the Eaton Fire broke out on January 7. More than 500 of those were emergency boards (animals whose families were displaced). While many pets have since reunited with their families, over 200 are still in the organization’s care.
“The grant from the Human-Animal Alliance helps us provide care for peoples’ family members for the long-term that this disaster has necessitated,” says Kevin McManus, Pasadena Humane’s PR & communications manager. “We are only able to provide the food, vet care, and attention to all these animals because of funding like this!”
Pasadena Humane’s biggest challenge has been locating owners, especially if the pet doesn’t have a microchip. They’ve seen a significant rise in animals needing treatment for smoke inhalation, burns, other injuries, and dehydration. They’re also navigating how to care for the large number of pets whose families don’t have a home to return to yet.
“We will be caring for a lot of people’s family members for a considerable amount of time until they get back on their feet,” says McManus.
One caring citizen found a dog laying on a burnt lawn. The dog was quickly brought to Pasadena Humane and treated for his injuries. But the news got better. His family, who had been separated, saw the dog’s photo on Pasadena Humane’s website and went to the shelter to reunite with their beloved furry friend.
Ducci says there are several things owners can do to ensure their pets’ well-being during a disaster. Microchipping and ID tags can help families avoid being permanently separated. She also recommends keeping pets contained in one area during bad weather and having a pet emergency kit ready with basic needs including food, leashes, and current medications.
A longtime animal lover and equestrian, Ducci says the Human-Animal Alliance is grateful for the community’s financial support.
“A lot of people say they want to give to a charity, but they don’t always know who to trust. One-hundred percent of the donations [to us] go back out in grants, because we’re privately funded,” she says. “If you’re an animal lover and you want to know that every dollar you give is going back to an animal, we’re your go-to charity.”
Ducci notes that natural disasters like the California wildfires are also an opportunity for Floridians to support other states. After all, the Sunshine State has plenty of weather-related catastrophes each year.
“It’s important for us to remember that when these things happen in other areas, we should be stepping up and helping,” she shares. “People do that for [Floridians] when we go through it.”
For more information about the Human-Animal Alliance, click here. For more details about Pasadena Humane’s work, visit www.pasadenahumane.org.
