Animal rescue groups in California have opened their doors to pets as their owners flee the flames of ongoing wildfires.
The Los Angeles fires have claimed at least 11 lives already, with over 150,000 people under evacuation orders.
Five major fires continue to burn, and as animal owners flee, they are left facing a scramble to get their beloved companions out of the way of the fast-moving flames.
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Ending up in emergency accommodation, many have been forced to turn their pets over to shelters temporarily.
From cats and dogs, to horses, tortoises, birds, pigs and more, rescue groups are hosting a surge of animals, with some in need of treatment.
Many are also taking in injured wild or stray animals.
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“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of burned and injured animals coming to our shelter,” Pasadena Humane chief executive Dia DuVernet said.
“These animals are suffering from smoke inhalation, singed paws, burns, dehydration and more.”
‘It was crazy’
Arianna Buturovic found flames encircling her house, leaving her facing the task of evacuating “almost 30 animals”.
“I stuffed 15 dogs in a black Prius and two cats,” she said.
Having nine more dogs, and a pig, to evacuate, she flagged down some 18-year-olds with a truck who agreed to take them to a shelter.
She was still unable to bring her two ponies with her, so left the corral open so they could escape if needed.
“It was crazy,” she added.
‘Strike teams’
Pasadena Humane said it had taken in over 400 animals, as it appealed for donations.
The group said it, coordinating with other animal welfare organisations, was sending “strike teams” into the burn areas, adding: “We anticipate a heartbreaking scene when we arrive”.
Similarly, spcaLA said its adoption centre quickly filled up with “dozens of dogs, cats and a 30-year-old parrot”.
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Los Angeles County Animal Care was looking after almost 100 pets – mostly cats and dogs but also pigs, a turtle, a bird, and a snake, said Christopher Valles, a department spokesperson.
‘Crazy dangerous’ evacuation
Dr Annie Harvilicz had been moving out of an old animal centre in Marina del Rey, but inspired by her brother’s need to relocate his pets, she turned the exam, X-ray and surgery rooms into an impromptu shelter.
She took in 41 dogs, cats and a bunny.
Some people wanted her to take in their donkeys, but difficulties transporting larger animals have put them at greater risk from the wildfires, she said.
Julia Bagan found five horses locked in their stalls in Altadena.
She said they had huddled in a corner in the stalls to try and escape the flames, but couldn’t entirely.
By the time firefighters were able to use bolt cutters to free them, one horse was badly injured, Ms Bagan said.
She drove through the remnants of the fire on Wednesday night to rescue them as damaged power lines sparked overhead.
She described it as “the most crazy, dangerous” evacuation she’s had yet.
Almost all the houses in the area had burned when she pulled up.
The injured horse, a three-year-old black mare, had leg, tail and mane burns and the embers had given her eyes ulcers.
A veterinarian at an emergency equine hospital gave the horse 50-50 odds of surviving.
