I will take this and try my best to help Pam TY!
Thanks a TON!
The North Valley Animal Disaster Group and the California Veterinary Medical Group are working to deal with the critter end of things--and there are plenty! The animal control and shelters in the various areas are also overwhelmed trying to house, feed, shelter and keep track of all these critters.
Call the fire information number for the area closest to you (or donate online, which is always welcome) and see who to call, then ask them what they need most. I know that besides money, crates, ex-pens, kennels, halters, leadropes, buckets, towels, blankets, food and water dishes, shavings, hay for feed and for bedding (recommend grass hay, it's good for both bedding and feed and is often less expensive, depending on the area), and even common veterinary items like Vetrap/CoFlex (cohesive bandages in all widths), woven gauze in 2x2 to 4x4 inches, are likely welcome.
Bear in mind, too, that with the amount being burned, there will be needs this winter for feed for a lot of places whose winter stores of hay and straw were already laid in, not to mention bedding. So monetary donations earmarked for that purpose would also be a huge help as recovery continues.
Another way to help is to assist people with! livestock and animals in finding places for their animals to live as they try to rebuild their own lives. Sometimes, that means adoption; others, long term fostering. Too, breeders of animals such as cats, dogs, and rabbits among other species have almost certainly been victims; let's not forget that their animals are their lives--in many cases, as much family as their kids, and now may be all they have. So help them without judging; just extend your hand as you would to anyone else and make sure that they come out the far end of this in something close to the same shape they went in. Too often they are told to just spay, neuter, and quit--and that's not an acceptable solution.
We tend to think that all these places--farms, ranches, racehorse barns, etc--have insurance and backups and resources, but that's not always the case. Insurance takes time--and animals keep eating, drinking, making messes and needing care. If you are a small farm or hobby owner, you may be in very deep trouble when your planned-on stores and pasture went up in smoke...and your insurance may not cover it.
Let's not forget the wild animals, either--encourage people to leave buckets or tubs of water out for them, since areas which don't often see wildlife may see quite a lot which has been run out of the hills and wilder area. Keep pets and smaller animals/birds locked up at night to prevent predation and disturbances, and just leave the wild ones alone. You may be seeing everything from deer to fox, coyote to possum, skunks, bobcats, pumas and bears. Keep your garbage secured and your car windows closed, too, or you may wind up with g! uests you don't want!
Recovery will take a lot of time, money, and ongoing effort; let's not give now and forget next week.
Thanks, all! Feel free to share.
PA
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Posted by: Marilyn Sass <paws_sassy@yahoo.com>
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