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Subscribe to RSSWhen families were forced to flee the Waldo Canyon Wildfires, they left over four hundred of their pets in the care of the Humane Society, Pike's Peak. Now that most evacuees have returned home, the remaining pets tell the tale of how many homes were destroyed.
COLORADO SPRING, Colo. — When evacuation orders came at 3 p.m. last Tuesday, the animal population at the Humane Society here exploded. Residents in the projected path of the Waldo Canyon fire came streaming in, seeking shelter for pets that they couldn’t take to evacuation centers and hotels. Others who were too far from home to get back in time called the society in a panic, requesting that their pets be rescued.
It was a painful and sometimes tearful scene at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
"Animals are such a comfort to people," said spokesperson Erica Meyer. "People had to leave not only the comfort of their homes but the comfort of their animals."
In a matter of days, with staff working 24-7, the nonprofit organization took in 439 displaced pets brought in by their owners — mostly dogs and cats, but also rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and turtles. Between Tuesday and Sunday, animal law enforcement officers rescued another 108 animals from the evacuation zone, including one woman’s beloved chickens.
"Apparently it was really close," Meyer said of the eleventh-hour rescue. "The lady said 'I don’t care if my house burns down.' She just wanted her babies. Her chickens were her babies."
The Humane Society set up special areas to care for the displaced pets — including an emergency shelter in donated space — registering, vaccinating and providing medications to pets, one by one.
The society drew on its 2,000-strong army of volunteers to walk, pet, feed and clean up after this massive menagerie, while handling its usual clientele — some 40 to 60 abandoned, stray and feral animals a day, Meyer said.
As the crisis subsides, many of the evacuated pets have gone home with their humans, and the emergency facility has been closed.
About 50 displaced animals remained on Tuesday, including the two chickens, and some of them likely will be in for the long haul because their homes were among the 346 that burned to the ground last week, said Meyer.
"We will care for them until they are united with their families," she said.
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What a heart-wrenching story. God bless the people who are volunteering to care for these animals until they can be reunited with their families. Having to completely rebuild after a fire has reduced your entire home to ashes is hard enough. Having to worry about your pet's well-being or having to wonder whether or not your pet is even safe would be so much worse. At least these people whose pets have made it to safety can rest easy knowing their beloved animals will be healthy and well-fed until they can return home.
It is fantastic that the animal shelter had such an army of volunteers to help take care of all these displaced pets. Hopefully those who lost their homes can either find a temporary place to live that will allow pets or have friends/relatives that are willing to take the animals in. The shelter is great for short term emergencies, but I would hate to see all those animals having to live caged up at the shelter for many months, if not a year or more, until their owners can get their homes rebuilt.
At least the Humane Society is able to rescue a few animals. There are all those others that nobody can rescue, and live in the wild. Foxes, turtles, possums, owls, bats, etc. Those animals are lost, and even when we can't know for sure how many are dead, it probably will take a while for them to come back to the scorched woods. It may take a lot longer if there isn't a source of water.
It's sad.
I was so worried about people's pets there in Colorado, due to the movement of those terrible fires. My dog is everything to me and although it would be devestating to loose my house, I would crumble and fall without my dog. Thank goodness for THIS Humane Society and to all the people who helped/help out!
God bless you all - the people who took their animals to the shelter because they could not take them wherever they were going, and I'm sure they often didn't know, and to the shelter, for taking all these animals who needed a place to stay during this catastropic event. Prayers to you all.
I agree....sometimes I think we are all going to hell in a handbasket, and then when I read stories like this I really believe we are a species that is worth saving. Blessings to everyone that helped during this horrific time.
This mindset needs to change. Some in FL have stayed and died in hurricanes rather than leave their pets. They are working on changing those rules to save lives. It could happen anywhere.
Get over yourself. Go find something to love that will love you back.
Some in FL have stayed and died in hurricanes rather than leave their pets.
I am not surprised. Some animals are more loving than many humans.
@Irespond, I liked what Shania Twain once said in an interview, "Iwould rather sleep with my dog than my ex-husband". I agree with Shania and you, I would rather hang with my dog anytime over most people.
Charlie, I think the original poster was saying that the mindset of the shelters needs to change. To forbid someone to bring their dog is evil. Not much different in my mind than forbidding them to bring their children.
Right to wish that but in Palm Beach County there is now one shelter to take in thousands of animals (dogs and cats only) in the event of a hurricane. Talk about a joke. Wonder who they think they are kidding. I sat out three big hurricanes. Would not leave pets so if that makes me stupid so what? This was before Katrina. Apparently those nightmare images of abandoned pets did not penetrate politicians minds. Guess they are too busy trying to steal money from taxpayers and the Feds. Federal government is also to blame come to think of it. Where is the mandate? Obama must have been sleeping and we know Romney doesn't care about pets. Guy thinks animals enjoy wind surfing on his car.
Actually there is a mandate now in Louisiana because of what happened with Katrina. They have made it 'unlawful" not to allow people to bring their pets with them. In other States I don't know if it will ever happen.
But, I live in Florida, and I am not going anywhere without my pets. I have two ferrets and a cat, and they WILL come with me where ever I need to go. After what happened to all the pets after 911 and also after Katrina.......... I will take my chances with them WITH ME..........
I too live in Florida and have NEVER left my dogs and never will during many hurricanes. The powers that be need to make modifications NOW above and beyong to the few shelters that will take pets.
The PETS Act - amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.
In Missouri Red Cross has a "MOU" (memorandum of understanding) with DART Disaster Animal Response aka local Pet Shelter to have Animal Sheltering co-located on the same grounds as ARC. You take care of your pets they provide the rest.
Plan ahead just like a child, the animals depend on you, home alone? who's emergency contact?
Couldn't read all the posts but will help sponsor the Chickens . . .
Just think of all the wild animals that have been displaced as well by these fires. Man strikes again.
yes, they think it was arson. The wildlife took a huge toll. All the animals who died because they could not flee fast enough. It is too sad to think about.
I feel heartsick about the wildlife. In a "normal" fire, back in the day, many wildlife were able to escape. But in these superfires--which sadly, thanks to us humans, are the new "normal"--this is no longer the case. That photo of the fire chief holding the bandaged, bleeding fawn just broke my heart.
Hey, it wouldn't have been all bad. Fried chicken.
Somehow, I don't think she saw it that way!
Optimist, You remind me of those little punks who taunted the school bus monitor about her son's suicide, or maybe one of the parents who raised them that way. When you've lost everything in a disaster--baby pictures, grandma's Bible, a beloved aunt's handmade quilts, the only pictures of your Dad who was killed in Vietnam when you were a teenager,--MAYBE you will learn to "appreciate" how it feels when some moron makes stupid jokes about your own unbearable losses at your expense.
America at her best!!!.....Great job!!...Salute!!!...
As an owner of dogs, a cat, 2 birds and a bunch of chickens that I consider my other kids, I so appreciate all the people who have helped out the owners of all these animals. Thank you to the volunteers and to the people who donated the space for the emergency shelter. You are doing people a tremendous service. I can not imagine what these people felt when they had to leave their pets. I don't know if I could do it. I think I would rather live in my car with all of them then have to leave them, but I totally understand the emergency of it all.
I thought that, after the fires in California, the Red Cross worked with HSUS to establish on-site rescue centers for pets so that the victims of natural disasters (while they still can't - for good reasons, take their pets into the shelters) can house their pets in on-site outside quarters. What happened in CO?
I know, for a fact, that this is done in California presently and I thought this practice was nationwide.
Excellent! :-)
P. S. On a related note, for all the criticism and blame that politicians tried to place on FEMA Director Michael Brown in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the fact of the matter is that he made the decision to allow people to take their pets with them on evacuation buses, which regardless of whatever foibles he might have had makes him OK in my book . . .
Baldenario - are you by chance related to Heck of a job, Brownie?!
The only pets which made it on the evacuation buses were SMUGGLED aboard. Many beloved pets which were initially rescued with their owners - were later forced to leave behind!! The ensuing pet rescue was a massive undertaking, but the disorganization amidst the chaos LOST thousands in the system itself.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pets_Evacuation_and_Transportation_Standards_Act
Almost seven years later there are still FORMER family pets, roaming the streets in the greater New Orleans area (waiting for families that will never come home again). They are being being fed (and cared for) by a small dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom buy the food out of their own pockets.
www.nola.com/living/index.ssf/2011/08/arno_still_saving_animals_six.html
It's heartwarming that this story for the most part, has many happy endings. We must never forget the tragedy of Katrina, and we must continue to work towards solutions which allow families and their cherished companions to stay together in times of disasters.
For more info on the Katrina pet rescues and the CONTINUING need for help - Animal Rescue New Orleans - ARNO - is still in need of volunteers!!
www.animalrescueneworleans.org/archive.html
Did you not see the terrible video of the elderly lady forced to give up her little white dog so she could get on the bus? Geesh.
I will keep my pet with me, if I have stay outside!
me too. I would stay in a tent or anywhere but would not leave my pets.
Thank you Pike's Peak Humane Society! Your hard work and dedication is appreciated. You took in these animals that had no where else to go and then happily reunited them with their families when they were able to return safely home. You might not think it of yourselves, but to those families and their pets you are heroes. I just hope the rest of the pets can be reunited with their loved ones soon. Thanks again for all you do. I can't even imagine what a task that was.
Huge thanks for all those wonderful people who volunteered for these beloved pets. I've volunteered with Red Cross shelters and understand the heart-wrenching stories of people who cannot bring their pets to the shelter. Maybe it's time we start thinking about designating shelters where people can bring their pets with them. It doesn't seem like it would be that difficult. I have worked in a lot of shelters and I think family pets would help the evacuees maintain some element of normalcy.
Heart warming story. We love our pets and the thought of being separated from them in the mist of a tragedy is overwhelming. Congrats to the Humane Society. Time for us all to open our pocket books and make a special donation.
CHARLE7834 really? love something that will love you back? I'm not getting your post, could you explain more?
Understand that some of these people could not take all the animals because there were more than dogs and cats, however with that being said I WOULD NEVER LEAVE MY TWO DOGS BEHIND anywhere, anytime, no matter what. My dogs go with me or I stay behind with them. I don't get people who hop in their cars and speed away and not take their pets with them, if the shelters won't accept pets, I wouldn't stay there. An in my opinion if you people do not feel this way about your pets, you have no business owning pets.
The HSUS & ASPCA promote the idea of having an emergency evacuation plan for your pets, just as you should have one for your family in the event you have to have your home quickly. Number one on the list for your pets is to have a place for them to go. Might not have worked for every person in this particular situation, but those who had some warning to get out could have followed their plan. I hope I'm never in this situation.
As much as I love my dog I can understand why shelters for people cannot accept pets. Not all pets get along and there is a huge potential for fights between animals. How would you feel if a black lab killed your little yorkie while in a tight space. (just an example-this can fit any dog breed). I don't know a good answer but I would never leave without my dog.
So explain why the superdome allowed teenage animals in after Katrina.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SEND YOUR MONEY DIRECTLY TO THIS LOCAL HUMANE SHELTER AND NOT TO SOME "NATIONAL ORGANIZATION SUCH AS HSUS OR THEIR CLOSELY RELATED COUSINS AT ASPCA. HSUS IS AN ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION AND GIVES VERY LITTLE OF THEIR MONEY TO LOCAL GROUPS SUCH AS THIS.
9 Things You Didn’t Know About HSUS
1. The Humane Society of the United States scams Americans out of millions of dollars through manipulative and deceptive advertising. An analysis of HSUS’s TV fundraising appeals that ran between January 2009 and September 2011 determined that more than 85 percent of the animals shown were
cats and dogs. However, HSUS doesn’t run a single pet shelter and only gives 1 percent of the money it raises to pet shelters, and it has spent millions on anti-farming and anti-hunting political campaigns.
2. HSUS receives poor charity-evaluation marks. CharityWatch (formerly the American Institute of Philanthropy) reissued HSUS’s “D” rating in December 2011, finding that HSUS spends as little as 49 percent
of its budget on its programs. Additionally, the 2011 Animal People News Watchdog Report discovered that HSUS spends about 43 percent of its budget on overhead costs.
3. Six Members of Congress have called for a federal investigation of HSUS. In April 2011, six Congressmen wrote the IRS Inspector General showing concerns over HSUS’s attempts to influence public policy, which they believe has “brought into question [HSUS’s] tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.”
4. HSUS regularly contributesmore to its own pension plan than it does to pet shelters. An analysis of HSUS’s tax returns determined that HSUS funneled $16.3 million to its executive pension plan between 1998 and 2009—over $1 million more than HSUS gave to pet shelters during that period.
5. The pet sheltering community believes HSUS misleads Americans. According to a nationally representative poll of 400 animal shelters, rescues, and animal control agencies, 71 percent agree that “HSUS
misleads people into thinking it is associated with local animal shelters.” Additionally, 79 percent agree that HSUS is “a good source of confusion for a lot of our donors.”
6. While it raises money with pictures of cats and dogs, HSUS has an anti-meat vegan agenda. Speaking to an animal rights conference iN 2006, HSUS’s then vice president for farm animal issues stated that HSUS’s goal is to “get rid of the entire [animal agriculture] industry” and that “we don’t want any of these animals to be raised and killed.”
7. Given the massive size of its budget, HSUS does relatively little hands-on care for animals. While HSUS claims it provides direct care to more animals than any other animal protection group in the US, most of the “care” HSUS provides is in the form of spay-neuter assistance. In fact, local groups that operate on considerably slimmer budgets, such as the Houston SPCA, provide direct care to just as many or more animals than HSUS does.
8. HSUS’s CEO has said that convicted dogfighting kingpin Michael Vick “would do a good job as a pet
owner.” Following Vick’s release from prison, HSUS has helped “rehabilitate” Michael Vick’s public image. Of course, a $50,000 “grant” from the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t hurt.
9. HSUS’s senior management includes a former spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), a criminal group designated as “terrorists” by the FBI. HSUS president Wayne Pacelle hired John “J.P.” Goodwin in 1997, the same year Goodwin described himself as “spokesperson for the ALF” while he
fielded media calls in the wake of an ALF arson attack at a California meat processing plant. In 1997, when asked by reporters for a reaction to an ALF arson fire at a farmer’s feed co-op in Utah (which nearly killed a family sleeping on the premises), Goodwin replied, “We’re ecstatic.”
Want evidence? Vist: www.ConsumerFreedom.com * www.HumaneWatch.org * www.ActivistCash.com
Revised February 2012.
Complete sources and documentation available upon request.__._,
www.humanewatch.com
www.bewareanimalradicals.com
www.naiaonline.org
www.saveourdogs.net
www.nathanwinograd.com
www.saova.org
Totally agree. I stopped giving to the national agencies a long time ago because they are not what they say they are. They do not do for animals what they want you to believe they do. Case in point is the ASPCA and Oreo, an abused black and white pit bull mix. Google the Oreo story. Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA, is turning over in his grave over this case. Each SPCA is a local organization and not supported or affiliated with the national organization. The same is true of the local humane societies The HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) is more a political, self-interested group and professional fundraiser than an actual hands-on supporter and advocate of animal welfare. It is not a supporter of the local humane societies. In general, if an organization has a national office in Washington, DC or NY, avoid. Their main focus is probably fundraising for themselves.
If you want your $$$ to actually be used to help animals, contribute to or volunteer at your local shelters and rescues.
There are some exceptions, most notably Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, UT, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Bottom line is do your research, but local is best because you can actually see your $$$ at work.
To clarify, the CS humane society, the focus of this story is a local shelter and has done an awesome job. Help them out.
This makes me so happy! I wish I lived anywhere near there so I could volunteer and take care of these poor little pets, wondering where their families went! I can't imagine having to leave my pups behind. I agree that shelters should allow you to bring your pets. There would obviously need to be regulations, like they have to be either on a leash or in a cage/kennel. And if they're on a leash and aggressive, they have to have a muzzle. That seems fair. I wouldn't want to put one of my dogs in a muzzle, but I'd rather do that than leave her behind. They would also probably have to limit the number of pets allowed per person/family, although I wouldn't want to be the one deciding that.