Arizona welcomed dozens of new animal residents on Saturday when approximately 70 dogs from California shelters were flown in to find safe homes unaffected by the devastating wildfires.
When the call came, there was no way Pima Animal Care Center Director Steve Kozachik could say “no,” even though, with nearly 490 dogs already living at PACC, resources and space are tight.
“It was just not an option in this case,” he said. “We may be in a tough situation, but they’re in a worse one.”
Kozachik said the animals have come from shelters affected by the wildfires that have ripped through the Los Angeles area, not only displacing people but also pets.
PACC has teamed up with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) and the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix to bring in more than 70 dogs from California to find placement in several Arizona counties.
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Hundreds of pets have been displaced by the Eaton Fire impacting Pasadena, Calif., and many residents have had to shelter their pets at the Pasadena Humane Society. Kevin McManus, who works with Pasadena Humane, says they have the capabilities in their ICU to take care of the animals who were burned or injured, and have the support of vet hospitals.
The animals will each receive thorough examinations and will be available for adoption starting Monday, Jan. 27.
Adoption fees for dogs and puppies have been waived at HSSA and PACC to support adoptions and address the need to open up shelter space.
“Our combined efforts ensure these pets have the care and compassion they deserve, and that communities facing unimaginable challenges know they’re not alone,” said Michele Figueroa, chief programs officer at HSSA.
Kozachik said he knows what it’s like to have to lean on the support of others to make it through tough times. “When we had the Bighorn Fire (in 2020), other shelters banded together and helped us out,” he said. “Who knows what the future holds for us? We may have to pick up the phone and call (California) sometime for help.”
With several recent hoarding situations bringing in 91, 50 and then 30 animals, receiving the additional California animals put extra strain on space, volunteers, pets and resources, Kozachik said. PACC needs most is for residents to adopt, adopt, adopt, he said.
“We have really highly adoptable animals here and we hope that when the community sees this news about Los Angeles they will want to help.”
And those who can't adopt can still help. Whether it is just taking a dog for a walk, having a puppy spend the night, taking a husky for a hike, a poodle to a party, or a dachshund on a day trip, just getting a pet out of its cage and out of the shelter can make a huge difference.
“It relieves the stress on that animal, and the stress on the animals at the rest of the shelter,” Kozachik noted.
For more information see pima.gov/2233/Pima-Animal-Care-Center-PACC.
