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One year later, Pasadena Humane is still caring for animals displaced by the Eaton Fire
A dog being sheltered at Pasadena Humane on Jan. 10, 2025. Some fire-impacted animals are still in there a year later.
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Justin Sullivan
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Getty Images North America
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Chris Ramon’s corner office at Pasadena Humane boasts a sweeping view of the San Gabriel Mountains peaking over Pasadena and Altadena.
Ramon, the organization’s president and CEO, said this week that he couldn’t help but remember what the same window looked like a year ago, when the Eaton Fire “changed our lives forever.”
“The mountains that we're looking at right now and admiring were being engulfed in flames,” Ramon told LAist. “For us as an organization, that's what kicked off one of the most devastating situations and experiences we've ever had to navigate through.”
Chris Ramon, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane, said he couldn't help but remember what this window looked like a year ago during the Eaton Fire.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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Pasadena Humane helped more than 1,500 pets and wildlife during the fire and in the aftermath, providing shelter, medical care and emergency resources. The organization also helped reunify pets and livestock with the humans who love them.
Several animals affected by the fire are still in the organization’s care. They include four dogs at Pasadena Humane, as well as three cats and a guinea pig in foster homes.
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“Several people who lost their homes are still trying to figure out what their next step is,” Ramon said. “We told the community, and everybody who was affected by the Eaton Fire, that we would be here and we would provide help.”
Pasadena Humane marked the one-year anniversary of the fire this week with a show of gratitude for another Southern California shelter who helped the organization weather the storm.
Pasadena officials are supporting San Diego Humane Society as it deals with a hoarding case by taking in adoptable dogs. They described it as a “full-circle moment.”
‘Unimaginable’ toll
In the first three weeks after the Eaton Fire erupted, Pasadena Humane took in about 1,000 animals that were injured, displaced and separated from their families.
Patients of all shapes, sizes and scales were welcome.
Reggie getting his paws bandaged for burns in Pasadena Humane's ICU during the Eaton Fire.
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Wren Louis Sell
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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Reggie healed up in his new home after being adopted from Pasadena Humane.
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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Bearded dragons were set-up with warming lamps, koi fish were placed into proper ponds and a horse was housed in Pasadena Humane’s garage when Ramon ran into its owner walking miles down Raymond Avenue.
Pasadena Humane search-and-rescue teams went into burn zones looking for animals in need of assistance. Those teams reunited pets with owners in an effort to make sure the organization had enough space for those that didn’t have anywhere else to go — including an Altadena neighborhood cat whom the residents named Skinny Minnie.
Pasadena Humane teams looked for pets and wildlife in Eaton burn zones, dropping off food and water along the way.
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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The cat was brought into Pasadena Humane with severe injuries as the fire was still raging. Her whiskers were singed and her body was so badly burnt that staff “couldn't tell what color she was,” Ramon said.
They weren’t sure if Skinny Minnie would survive.
Riley arrived at Pasadena Humane's ICU with burns and smoke inhalation during the Eaton Fire.
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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Riley was adopted after months of treatment, according to Pasadena Humane.
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Courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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The cat stayed in Pasadena Humane’s intensive care unit for several months, which by that time had become a makeshift burn ward.
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Skinny Minnie endured the invasive medical treatments used to tend to her wounds, later revealing a gentle personality, seeking cuddles and scratches from caretakers or veterinary staff, Ramon said.
After months of treatment, the cat was reunited with a pair of Altadena residents.
It was the “win that we needed,” Ramon said.
How to support Pasadena Humane
Chris Ramon, president and CEO, says the organization is committed to helping Altadena rebuild.
Here’s how you can help support Pasadena Humane's work:
Paying it forward
San Diego Humane Society took in more than 50 animals from Pasadena Humane to clear space during the fire, which officials said was critical for their operations during the crisis.
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So, Pasadena Humane returned the favor Wednesday.
Sebastian was among the dogs Pasadena Humane took in from San Diego Humane Society on Wednesday.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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Sebastian is available for adoption at Pasadena Humane as of Thursday.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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It welcomed nine dogs from San Diego to free up resources as the organization deals with a large-scale hoarding case. A tenth dog was also expected to arrive, but was adopted.
Nina Thompson, San Diego Humane Society's director of public relations, told LAist the organization was bursting at the seams caring for 725 dogs before 40 more were rescued from an apartment in La Mesa.
How to support San Diego Humane Society
The organization's four campuses were already operating well over capacity before the 40 dogs and puppies were removed from the 500-square-foot home, according to Thompson.
"This transport is a huge help," she said.
Pasadena Humane took in nine dogs from San Diego Humane Society while it deals with a large hoarding case.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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San Diego Humane Society officials say the transfer will free up space and resources so staff can focus on animals involved with the hoarding case.
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Makenna Sievertson
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LAist
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The San Diego dogs are available for adoption at Pasadena Humane as of Thursday. Two of those dogs have already found their forever homes, according to the organization.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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