TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Humane Society of Southern Arizona and Pima Animal Care Center are doing what they can to support the pets affected by the devasting California wildfires. HSSA and PACC together have taken in around 50 dogs from wildfire-affected areas, to give them a second chance.
The shelters partnered with the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix to bring over 70 dogs to Arizona that were previously housed in shelters near the raging wildfires in California.
Thanks to support from Petco Love, Wings of Rescue, and Central Pet, the dogs landed in Arizona this afternoon—with HSSA taking in 30 of the dogs, and PACC taking 15.
“They reached out to us and asked for help, and we absolutely said yes. But in the middle of crisis, that’s what we need to do, as a community. Step forward and help each other,” said Michele Figueroa, HSSA’s chief of operations.
She said that taking in dogs from California shelters makes room for all the displaced dogs those shelters are finding.
Now that the dogs have arrived, each one will be examined by the shelters’ veterinary teams to make sure they’re all healthy and ready to find a home.
Steve Kozachik, PACC’s interim director, said the turnaround can be almost immediate.
“This community really steps up and wants to be a part of solutions for other people in need,” Kozachik said. “And I’m 100% confident our community’s going to be there, in support of the animals and in support of the people in L.A.”
Kozachik said regardless though, PACC is equipped to handle the dogs, and HSSA says the same, explaining that they hosted multiple adoption events ahead of time to ensure they had the room.
Figueroa added that most of the dogs will be ready to find homes and be available for adoptions starting Tuesday.
“So, you can come out, and adopt, foster,” Figueroa said. “And if you can’t do either of those, please donate, it goes towards helping these animals that we took in from California.”
Both HSSA and PACC have waived fees for dogs and puppies to support adoptions through next week.
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