Arizona Shelters Open Doors to 70 Dogs Rescued from California Wildfires

In a significant initiative, approximately 70 dogs are set to be evacuated from animal shelters near California’s wildfires and transported to Arizona. This effort involves collaboration among three animal welfare organizations: Pima Animal Care Center (PACC), Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA), and the Arizona Humane Society.

The dogs will arrive on Saturday, January 25, via flights provided by Wings of Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to relocating at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster zones. Financial backing for this mission comes from Petco and Central Pet.

Upon arrival, 20 dogs will be housed at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix, while 50 will be taken to Tucson. Within that group, HSSA will care for 30 dogs, and PACC will take in 20. Each dog will be placed in a crate and loaded onto aircraft owned by Wings of Rescue, which has successfully evacuated over 75,000 pets since its inception in 2012.

Recently, Wings of Rescue has been busy, evacuating pets from Bob Hope Airport in Burbank to shelters in Seattle and Oregon, as highlighted by Flying Magazine. “Tucson’s animal welfare community will provide care, compassion, and a second chance for these animals amidst this overwhelming crisis,” said organizers. Veterinarians will examine the dogs, and some may be available for adoption as early as next week.

“This lifesaving mission ensures that each pet has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and find a loving home,” they added. Michele Figueroa, Chief Programs Officer at HSSA, emphasized the unity of their efforts, stating, “Our combined strategies guarantee these pets receive the care they deserve.”

Steve Kozachik, PACC’s interim director, expressed appreciation for the collaboration: “I’m sure I speak for many in our community who are witnessing the devastation from the fires and wondering how to help. This partnership shows the strength of agencies coming together in times of crisis.”

The recent spate of wildfires in the Los Angeles area has been alarming, with eight fires igniting in the past few weeks due to the Santa Ana winds and a dry winter. The Palisades Fire, which started on January 7, has devastated over 23,000 acres, destroying approximately 7,700 homes and buildings, with containment efforts currently at 77%. The Eaton Fire, also ignited on the same day, has burned around 14,000 acres and is nearly fully contained. Additionally, the Hughes Fire began recently north of Santa Clarita, affecting nearly 10,400 acres.

In light of these circumstances, HSSA and PACC are reaching out to the community, urging the public to consider adopting or fostering dogs. Both organizations have waived adoption fees for dogs and puppies to facilitate this urgent need.