How you can help LA fire victims by fostering their pets

Now that evacuation orders have been lifted for most parts of Los Angeles impacted by the January fires, many pets have been able to return home with their families.

But the Pasadena Humane Society and L.A. Animal Services are still caring for hundreds of displaced pets — many, like their families, have no home to return to.

“Just knowing how slowly rebuilding can happen, we're probably looking at at least a year for some, if not most, of these animals,” said Kevin McManus, a spokesperson for Pasadena Humane.

The organization has promised to care for the displaced animals until they can be reunited with their owners — they’re also looking for foster homes that can help out.

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“As long as it takes, we are going to hold on to your pets,” McManus said. “We don't want people to lose their home and their family members.”

Fire-impacted pets, by the numbers

The Pasadena Humane Society has taken in more than 1,000 pets displaced by the Eaton Fire, according to McManus. It’s still caring for close to 500 of them.

McManus said the organization is in touch with most of the families of those pets, but around 200 animals have yet to be claimed by their owners.

The city of L.A. allowed evacuees from the Palisades and Hurst fires to bring their pets with them to shelters, where L.A. Animal Services provided crates, bedding and other supplies.

In past emergencies, pets were separated from their families, said Agnes Sibal, a spokesperson for the agency, which is part of L.A. city government. “With everything going on, at least people were able to stay with their pets,” Sibal said.

As of mid-January, L.A. Animal Services had reunited 936 animals with their families. It’s still caring for 55 pets at its network of shelters and 113 large animals — horses, donkeys, goats, sheep and a pig — at the L.A. Equestrian Center.

The shelters have posted animals online that have yet to be claimed by their owners. At L.A. Animal Services, these include chickens, dogs, cats, tortoises and a white mouse nicknamed “Mickey.”

Photos and descriptions of the unclaimed animals, and where to find them, are online:

• Pasadena Humane, 626-577-3752 (Eaton Fire)
• LA Animal Services, 213-270-8155 (Palisades and Hurst fires)

How to help

Both Pasadena Humane and L.A. Animal Services are looking for foster families to care for pets displaced by the fires, and for the other stray and abandoned animals brought into shelters for other reasons.

“Kitten season” is also coming, McManus said, which means shelters could see an influx of even more animals.

Both organizations have tried to make it easier to foster animals. L.A. Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for dogs and cats through Feb. 7 and offering reduced fees on weekends through February.

Adoptions at Pasadena Humane were paused because of the Eaton Fire but are set to resume Feb. 10.

How does fostering work?

Fostering is flexible — you decide what kind of animal would work for your family and living situation, and how long you can keep them.

McManus said Pasadena Humane is especially looking for families that don’t already have pets because it tends to be easier for foster animals to adjust.

But if you do already have pets, you can still foster. L.A. Animal Services has several guides on its website, including how to introduce your foster dog to your other fur babies.

How much does fostering cost?

The shelters provide veterinary care, food and other supplies you’ll need to foster a pet. McManus said Pasadena Humane will even watch your foster pet while you go on vacation.

Of course, there could be other costs, like extra treats or replacing chewed-up socks.

Won’t it be hard to give the pet back?

You might get attached, yes. But remember, you’re helping someone who just lost everything.

As for the pets, McManus said that fostering, even if for a short time, is good for animals in shelters. “As nice as our shelter is, it is not as nice as any home,” he said.

Plus, he and Sibal said, fostering is helpful for shelters to get a sense of an animal’s needs and personalities so they can provide more information to potential adoptees. “Are they more of a couch potato or do they like being active?” Sibal said. “They can showcase their personalities.”

How to get started

Pasadena Humane

• Information on fostering through Pasadena Humane.
• To start the process, email foster@pasadenahumane.org

LA Animal Services

• They’re especially looking for people to foster large dogs, 35 pounds and over.
• Information on fostering through L.A. Animal Services
• To start the process, take your ID to one of their animal service centers. You can search for locations here.