WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, September 28, 2020 — The American Humane Rescue team is deployed to aid animals threatened by the wildfires in Northern California.
American Humane received a request from Butte County to help care for more than 200 animals, including pets of families displaced by the fires. Working under the North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG), a team of trained first responders is on the ground assisting with shelter operations and providing care to animal victims of the wildfires.
“The devastating fires that are ravaging the West Coast are still burning,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “It’s our duty as humans to make sure that animals affected by the catastrophe are cared for and safe.”
The devastating wildfires that ignited weeks ago have destroyed two million acres across the state and left thousands of animals injured, scared, and in need of care. American Humane’s rescue team is deployed at the western end of the North Complex Fire, which has been burning for 11 days. Animal first responders are currently stationed at two vital shelters in Oroville, California. These shelters include dogs, cats, bunnies and exotic birds.
Whenever natural or manmade disasters strike, the American Humane team carefully monitors the situation and prepares to deploy resources in the most effective and efficient way possible. Caring for stranded, injured and lost animals in the wake of a natural disaster requires around-the-clock care to ensure the mental and physical health and wellbeing of each animal.
The American Humane Rescue team was founded more than 100 years ago during World War I when the U.S. Secretary of War requested assistance caring for injured horses in war-torn Europe. Since then, American Humane’s team of animal first responders has been on the ground for virtually every disaster in our nation’s history, from Pearl Harbor, to 9/11, to Hurricane Katrina, to the devastating California wildfires and everything in between.
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org.
