Californians scrambled to evacuate dogs, cats, horses, even pigs as LA flames closed in
Share:
Arianna Buturovic kept a wary eye on distant smoke from the rescue shelter she runs outside Los Angeles for dogs at risk of being euthanized. Within hours, nearby mountains were ablaze and fire began encircling her. “I stuffed 15 dogs in a black Prius and two cats,” Buturovic said.
But she still had nine more dogs and a pig to evacuate, so flagged down some 18-year-olds with a truck who agreed to take them to a shelter. She couldn’t bring two ponies with her, but she left the corral open so they could escape if needed. “That’s how we evacuated almost 30 animals,” she said. “It was crazy.”.
Buturovic is one of many animal owners in Los Angeles who scrambled to get themselves and their beloved companions out of the way of fast-moving wildfires that killed 11 people and burned more than 12,000 homes and other structures this week. It has overwhelmed shelters, whose leaders have implored people, if they're able, to find friends or family to foster their pets.
Wendy Winter and her husband decided Tuesday evening that they should buy some cat carriers so they could evacuate their Altadena home with their felines Purry Mason and Jerry. Less than two hours later, it was clear they needed to leave. The next morning, they learned the house they lived in for more than seven years was gone along with the rest of their street.
“There’s fear and loss and you just don’t even know,” she said. “You’re in shock.”. They’re hoping to find friends to foster their cats for two months while they figure out what they’re going to do next. Winter said she and her husband are disoriented, and they aren't sure they can provide their cats an environment where they will feel safe and comfortable right now.
Share:
More for You
Top Followed
You Might Also Like
