
Los Angeles Wildfires Rescue and Response
Photo: The Associated Press, 2025©.
Raging wildfires have devastated the Los Angeles area, caused emergency evacuations and left countless animals lost and scared in the chaos. Our rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide emergency shelter, lifesaving medical care and comfort to animals in crisis. With your support, we are responding swiftly and effectively—but every moment counts, and we need your help to continue saving lives.
How we’re helping the affected communities













Tuesday, February 4
We want to thank PEDIGREE Foundation for their support in helping us ensure people and pets across Los Angeles received the care and compassion they needed in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires. With their support, we’ve transported more than 300 long-term shelter animals to other states, provided veterinary care to more than 100 displaced pets in shelters and the community, and distributed more than 10,000 pounds of cat and dog food to animals in need.

Monday, February 3
On January 31st and February 3rd, the incredible LA-based American Humane Society team partnered with the food relief organization World Central Kitchen at pop-up distribution events to help feed communities in Los Angeles affected by the wildfires. Our team stepped in to help ensure that animals also have the food they need. We distributed approximately 10,000 pounds of dog food, cat food, and treats, as well as pet essentials like bowls and leashes.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Mars, Barkworthies and Brutus Bone Broth for generously donating the food and supplies.

Sunday, January 26
On Sunday, our Rescue Team supported a third animal transport mission and helped get 109 adoptable dogs and cats out of harm’s way and flown to shelters in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho and Montana.
This brings the total animals we’ve helped transport out of Los Angeles to 309 since the wildfires first began raging across the area. This has freed up much needed space for rescued pets in Los Angeles who have been displaced due to the wildfires. These transports of adoptable pets in need of homes gives them a second chance and creates a ripple effect of compassion as shelters taking in rescued animals often see increased adoptions! It’s a win-win for the pets, the shelters and the local communities.
Our team worked alongside Wings of Rescue at a local shelter, Paws For Life K9 Rescue, for the transport and helped ensure that these sweet animals, who have already gone through hardships, could reach safety and find their way to the next step on their journey toward a forever home.

Friday, January 24
Our Rescue Team is working alongside the Red Cross to help coordinate vet care for animals in their shelters and helping ensure they have what they need to keep their pets comfortable during this challenging time. On Thursday and Friday, we visited several Red Cross shelters and arranged for animals to receive Wellness Checks, including critical vaccines and supplies when needed.
We even helped a dog and a goat who are both named Coco and were displaced by the fires but have now become friends and neighbors at a Red Cross shelter.
Additionally, our team is helping lead Field Operations in the Evacuation Zone and providing expert advice as part of Animal Search and Rescue Teams who are searching for lost pets, and for animals whose families were forced to evacuate, we are providing them with food and water to help ensure their safety while they wait for their families to be able to return.
Thanks to tireless efforts of our rescue team, more animals in the Los Angeles area are safe, cared for and ready for a fresh start.

Monday, January 20
American Humane Society’s Rescue Team deployed two teams with LA County Wildland Animal Search and Rescue to assist with animal welfare checks in the wake of the devastating California wildfires. In total, the Rescue Team has responded to 52 calls for welfare checks, searching for lost pets, and providing “shelter in place” support.
In “shelter in place” cases where the animal’s environment is safe, but their family hasn’t been able to safely return, our team is checking in with the animals to help ensure their safety, showing them affection, and leaving plenty of food and water so they can remain safely in their familiar surroundings until their family can return home. These check-ins are essential to ensure that the Rescue Team can move the animals to safety if their environment is deemed unsafe at any point during this unpredictable time.
Additionally, American Humane Society helped care for approximately 40 displaced dogs. These animals, mostly owned pets, received daily attention, including feeding, walking, cleaning, and enrichment activities. Volunteers from American Humane Society worked to ensure these dogs remained healthy and comfortable despite the chaos of displacement.

Sunday, January 19
We mobilized alongside Wings of Rescue at Paws For Life K9 Rescue to help the local shelter ready and safety transport 120 dogs and cats from Los Angeles to Texas. The transport helped ensure these adoptable pets are out of harm’s way and that more shelter space is available in the Los Angeles area for families displaced by wildfires. Now, these sweet cats and dogs are waiting in shelters in Texas, hoping for a second chance. They desperately need loving families to give them the warmth and care they deserve.
Additionally, on Sunday our Rescue Team assisted with two Wildland Animal Search and Rescue teams including 29 calls, welfare checks, sheltering in place, and searching for lost pets. We are also now assisting LA City’s West Side Shelter in setting up an incident command team to increase their effectiveness in field animal rescue missions.

Saturday, January 18
American Humane Society brought loving care to 35 pets affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The Wellness Clinic was hosted at Rover Kennels Culver City, a Yourgi Pack member, with generous support from the Destination Pet Foundation.
The clinic’s mission was simple but profound: to ensure the well-being of pets impacted by the wildfires. Licensed veterinarians through Destination Pet and Ethos Veterinary Health provided essential wellness checks and administered free vaccinations and flea/tick/heartworm prevention to the animals who needed it, thanks to a generous donation of supplies from Zoetis.
As first responders continue to work tirelessly to support people and pets displaced by the wildfires, initiatives like this clinic provide a beacon of hope. Attendees left with not only healthier pets but also with replenished pet essentials like water bowls and leashes. Additionally, Brutus Bone Broth and The Honest Kitchen donated food and treats for pets visiting the clinic. This Pet Wellness Clinic wasn’t just about medical care; it was about community and comfort.
Additionally, on Saturday our Rescue Team assisted with two Wildland Animal Search and Rescue teams covering 23 calls, welfare checks, sheltering in place, and searching for lost pets.

Thursday, January 16
Our Rescue Team and LA Staff members continued to mobilize to help families displaced by the wildfires. We were called to the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society to help with the overwhelming amount of donated supplies they received. We were able to transport them to another local shelter and help ensure the generously donated supplies are effectively distributed to those in need.
We also worked alongside Marriott International to ensure families sheltering at their hotels have the pet supplies they need. One particularly heartbreaking story was of Ethan and his dog Opal whose home was lost in the fires. Our Rescue Team provided them with a new leash, treats and a water bowl. These small comforts go a long way to support those who have lost so much.

Wednesday, January 15
We are still hard at work in Southern California as we help the animals and families affected by the devastating wildfires.
Our rescue team worked diligently alongside the Red Cross to help with animal care in their shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center. Our Rescue Team checked in on the approximately 40 dogs and cats in the shelter and delivered the supplies they desperately needed, including beds, toys, bowls and over 100 pounds of dog/cat food.
Simultaneously, we are currently prepping a free Pet Wellness Clinic in Culver City we will be holding to provide care and support for the pets of evacuees. These clinics offer:
- Basic health assessments for pets.
- Emergency supplies, including food and other pet essentials.
- Vaccinations to keep pets healthy in evacuation conditions.

Sunday, January 12
The California wildfires show no signs of slowing, but neither do we.
The outpouring of community support has been incredible. However, as fires spread and shelters become overcrowded, the need for resources remains urgent.
Thanks to your generosity, we are able to respond rapidly to the ongoing wildfire crisis. Today, in partnership with Paws for Life K9 Rescue and Wings of Rescue:
- More than 80 animals were transported to safety, creating space in local shelters for more displaced pets.
- Food, water and supplies were delivered to animals who have lost everything.
- Critical care and comfort is being provided to injured and traumatized pets.

Saturday, January 11
The devastating wildfires continue to scorch Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Our rescue teams are actively:
- Delivering critical supplies to shelters overwhelmed by displaced animals.
- Partnering with local hotels housing evacuees and their pets to ensure they have food, beds and other essentials.
- Assisting shelters by transporting animals out of high-risk zones.
Our national rescue team is also coordinating emergency animal transport and planning free pop-up wellness clinics to help families care for their pets during this crisis.

Thursday, January 9
As wildfires spread rapidly, our teams are preparing to deploy rescue efforts at a moment’s notice. Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:
- We have provided urgent funds to a feed store to help provide food and bedding to horses displaced by the wildfires.
- Our Los Angeles-based rescue team is actively collaborating with local shelters to evacuate pets from high-risk areas.
- Supplies, including food, water and blankets, are being distributed to shelters and evacuee hubs.
We need your help to continue these lifesaving efforts. Please consider making a donation to support animals in crisis.
What to Do if You’ve Been Impacted
If you’ve been impacted by the wildfires, follow your city or state guidelines to stay safe. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you’re evacuating with your pets or preparing at home and aren’t sure what to do to keep your pets safe, we can help. Visit our Pet Disaster Preparedness Guide for tips on what to bring and how to protect your pets in an emergency.
Published January 16, 2025. Updated January 26, 2025.