Shelter Reunites Families With Pets Displaced By L.A. Wildfires

Pasadena Humane took in over 1,500 pets displaced by the Eaton fire that started the evening of ... More January 7, 2025. Now the shelter staff delights in happy reunions and adoptions.
As flames from the Eaton fire engulfed a neighborhood in Altadena, California, earlier this year, a family frantically loaded their beloved cat and dog into their car. Suddenly, a neighbor's propane tank exploded — startling Canelo, a pit bull, who jumped out of the vehicle and ran off. His family couldn't find him and had to flee for their lives.
A day or two later, someone found Canelo wandering around the burn zone and brought him to Pasadena Humane, a nonprofit animal shelter that serves Altadena, Pasadena and other parts of the San Gabriel Valley devasted by the wildfire.
'He was burned pretty badly,' says Kevin McManus, public relations and communications manager at Pasadena Humane. 'Thankfully, he survived.'
Canelo wasn't wearing a collar or microchipped, but the shelter snapped a photo and shared it on the 'found pets' section of their Eaton fire emergency page and got him veterinary care.
'We have an animal ICU here on site, and five full-time veterinarians who work here,' he says.
Canelo suffered burns during the Eaton Fire that destroyed his home in Altadena, California.
Thanks to the photo, Canelo's family learned he was at Pasadena Humane and came to see him. They'd lost their home to the fire, so the shelter continued to care for Canelo and treat his burned paws and other injuries for nearly a month.
When he was ready to leave, the shelter shared a touching reunion video on social media.
'I got to witness when his family came to pick him up to take him home,' McManus says. 'It was just the sweetest. There was not a dry eye in the room. Canelo's whole body was wagging and he was licking the guy's face. The owner said, 'I can buy new things. I can rebuild my home, but I can't buy another Canelo. I can't find another dog like this.' I still get choked up thinking about it.'
Canelo is one of over 1,500 pets who landed at Pasadena Humane during the catastrophic Eaton fire, which killed at least 17 people and destroyed more than 9,400 buildings. Pasadena Humane always offers emergency boarding for pets — free of charge — so some animals were temporarily surrendered by evacuees without access to a pet-friendly place to stay. Many others were rescued by firefighters and animal control officers.
When the fire erupted on the evening of January 7, shelters throughout the state helped Pasadena Humane make space for an influx of displaced pets by taking around 150 dogs, 50 cats and other pets, like rabbits. The shelter created an emergency hotline for people to report lost, found and left-behind pets, and essentially became a command post to care for displaced pets, with help from other shelters and organizations, including American Humane, K9 Youth Alliance, Marin Humane, ASPCA, Santa Barbara Humane, San Diego Humane Society, Banfield Foundation and VCA Animal Hospitals.
Hundreds of volunteers — 'too many to count' — helped sort donations for people affected by the wildfires, clean laundry, direct traffic and do anything that needed to be done to allow shelter staff to focus on caring for the animals coming in, according to McManus.
'We've never taken in that number of animals,' he says. 'All day long, we were just taking in animals, taking in animals, taking in animals. And it was emotionally difficult, but also logistically difficult. We had cats in offices and dogs in crates in our training room, and we were using all the kennels we have in our spay/neuter clinic for housing. We had to be really creative and put animals basically anywhere we could.'
So when pets started being reunited with their families, Pasadena Humane would share the good news with the team, which helped boost morale.
'Every time that happened, it was like, 'OK, we're getting closer to getting to some kind of normalcy getting through this crisis,'' he says. 'It was pretty special.'
Oreo and Mr. Butter head home with their family after evacuation from the Eaton fire.
Like Canelo, many displaced pets suffered burns from the blaze. One cat, Skinny Minnie, was a community cat being fed by a couple hoping to integrate her into their family, which includes two indoor cats. When they had to evacuate, they couldn't find her and had to leave without her.
When someone brought Skinny Minnie to Pasadena Humane, she was in such bad shape that she was 'unrecognizable,' according to McManus.
'We had her in an oxygen chamber for a couple of days because she had such bad smoke inhalation,' he recalls. 'She couldn't open her eyes. She had burns on her paws.'
Over the course of the next month, whenever Skinny Minnie would get a little better, the shelter would post a new photo of her on its 'found' page. Oscar winner Adrien Brody cuddled the bitty kitty while volunteering, which reportedly helped her relax during her ordeal.
Oscar-winner Adrien Brody holds Skinny Minnie at Pasadena Humane earlier this year.
Eventually, she'd healed enough that her family could recognize her.
'They had pictures, and she really responded to them,' McManus says.
Skinny Minnie is still at the shelter because she's going to need multiple surgeries.
'We're just going to keep doing that until she's as healthy as we can get her,' he says. 'They're such a sweet couple. They come and visit her at least three or four or five times a week and just hang out with her. I'm excited for them to finally be able to take her home.'
Skinny Minnie is reunited with her family at Pasadena Humane.
Pasadena Humane is still caring for around 150 animals like Skinny Minnie whose families lost their homes.
'Obviously we are not charging people for this,' McManus says. 'This is just something that we do for our community.'
So Pasadena Humane welcomes financial donations to help offset costs, as well as volunteers, fosters and adopters.
Adopting a shelter dog frees up kennel space for other pets in need.
He's incredibly grateful to all the people who have stepped up to help both pets and people affected by the Eaton Fire. It means the world to McManus and the Pasadena Humane team every time there's a happy pet reunion at the shelter.
'It was such a terrible situation and something that we never thought we would have to face on such a scale, so it's a reminder of why we all come to work every day and why we're here for our community,' he says. 'We can't do much about the fire or rebuild people's homes, but we can at least assure people that their animals are in good hands while they're with us, and we're just as excited to see them go home as the people are to get them.'

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Los Angeles Times

2 days ago

• Los Angeles Times

Why Wildfires Can Be Especially Devastating for Older Adults

After a wildfire, the focus often turns to rebuilding homes. But for many older adults, the deeper challenge is rebuilding a sense of safety, identity, and connection, especially when they've lost the home and neighborhood that grounded their lives. 'A lot of their interpersonal connections are disappearing, because people die as they get older,' Dr. Jonathan Sherin, a psychiatrist and former director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, said. 'So you know, your social network shrinks, whether you like it or not.' That shrinking circle becomes even more dangerous when paired with the trauma and displacement that occur after losing your home in a wildfire. Dr. Sherin calls it 'the other LOL, which is the lethality of loneliness.' A 2023 study published in Science of the Total Environment found that older adults (ages 65 and up) who were exposed to multiple large wildfires in California experienced significantly more frequent days of mental health problems, even years later. Researchers noted that the psychological burden was strongest among seniors with limited income or mobility. When an elderly adult's property burns down in a wildfire, they don't just lose shelter. They also lose a place of lifelong memories, routines, and identity — a home they hoped would last long after them and bring comfort to their families in the future. In Altadena, a diverse neighborhood known for its historic Black population and strong pride in generational homeownership, the devastation of the Eaton Fire has been especially painful. 'Altadena was one of those spots where there was generational wealth creation,' said architect Matthew Trotter, president of SoCal NOMA and leader of the Altadena Rebuild Coalition. 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Sometimes, these changes are mistaken for signs of normal aging, but they may actually signal more profound distress, particularly following a traumatic event like a natural disaster. Whether you're a family member, neighbor, or friend, being proactive in talking about the trauma and being present for elderly wildfire survivors can make a real difference. Sherin noted that wildfire survivors often 'take a big financial hit' and may find themselves relying on others in ways that feel uncomfortable, which can keep them from asking for help. 'When you're losing your agency, and you're losing your identity as a part of a trauma … that's a real problem and it needs to be addressed,' Dr. Sherin said. 'And the way to address it is not just medicating people.' He said it's essential to help older adults feel connected and appreciated, whether by inviting them to family events or encouraging regular routines, such as attending church. Dr. Sherin also said that some sadness and grief are expected. 'A lot of it is normal, and is a normal part of the process of kind of going through a loss, mourning it and moving it forward,' Dr. Sherin said. However, if anyone affected by the fires finds it challenging to do the things they usually do, it may be a sign that they are not coping well with their loss and may need extra support. Here are specific signs Dr. Sherin said to look for: However, there is some positive research on mental health consequences for our elders after a wildfire. Some studies have found that older disaster survivors may carry greater long-term resilience. According to a 2023 article in the Journal of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, older adults often suffer greater psychological harm in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but those who do rebuild or receive meaningful support within a year may become less vulnerable to long-term psychological decline than younger adults. Researchers referred to this as the 'inoculation' effect of aging, citing life experience and emotional regulation as key factors in post-disaster recovery. Therefore, the key to making sure elderly wildfire survivors do not develop depression and can cope well with the loss is to engage with them and make them feel a part of the community. Dr. Sherin said that when families, neighbors, and communities offer connection and care, that support can be the most powerful form of healing. It just takes everyone to be comfortable addressing mental health challenges and feel the duty to act if they see someone struggling. 'Raise the red flag in a loving way, just like you would when someone you know is injured physically,' Dr. Sherin said. 'When someone's burned and they're in pain. Do you just ignore it? No. So it's the same thing, and we can't ignore that.' If you or someone you know is actively planning to harm themselves, call 988 or 911 immediately. Visit the LA County Department of Mental Health – Older Adult Services page for free access to therapy, case management, and in-home support for L.A. County residents aged 60 and older experiencing depression, trauma, grief, or isolation. You can also call their ACCESS line 24/7 at 800-854-7771 or text 'LA' to 741741.

Yahoo

6 days ago

• Yahoo

How A College Guidance Program Became a Post-Wildfire Lifeline

With nearly 1,400 of its students affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Pasadena's College Access Plan, like many California Community Foundation grantees, became a relief and recovery organization overnight. ALTADENA, Calif., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Like so many others, Alejandra Surias saw her world turn upside down on Jan. 7. As fast-moving flames tore through Eaton Canyon in one of the state's most destructive wildfires ever, the Pasadena High School senior fled her home with her family in the dead of night. Thick smoke clogged the air, hampering her vision and breathing. Howling winds tore down tree branches and rocked her family's car as they sped away. When she returned to survey the damage, Alejandra began to cry. The Altadena apartment building she had lived in her entire life was unlivable, with the windows blown out and ash everywhere. She had to toss out some of her clothes, potentially now tainted with toxic smoke. Schools had shut down, disrupting her daily routine. Her mother and father were shell-shocked as they searched for a place to live with their two children and two dogs, moving from a relative's house to a hotel to a motel. Two weeks later, Alejandra's phone rang. It was Karla Ramos, a program coordinator with College Access Plan (CAP), a Pasadena-based nonprofit that provides no-cost services to help underserved students beginning in fifth grade prepare for college. Alejandra, who has worked with Ramos for two years, was filled with relief to hear the familiar voice. What do you need? How can I help? Ramos asked her. In those devastating days after the fire, Ramos and CAP staff would go well beyond their role as college planning specialists helping students explore careers, review transcripts, research campuses and assist with applications and financial aid. They provided a vital lifeline of financial, emotional and mental support to Alejandra and hundreds of other students whose lives were upended by the Eaton Fire. The program connected Alejandra's family with several resources, including grocery gift cards from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation and other donors and a suitcase filled with a tablet, air purifier, face masks and candy – along with $10,000 – from Letters Charity, a Chicago nonprofit. The funding, which Alejandra said moved her mother to tears, helped the family secure a new apartment in Arcadia. Ramos also helped Alejandra prepare for an experience of a lifetime: the Grammy Awards. Fifteen program students were invited to attend; Macy's in Pasadena brought them into the department store to choose outfits, shoes and accessories – all on the house. Alejandra, wearing a silky pink dress, got to see her idol, Billie Eilish. "I was so grateful because I was so depressed about everything that happened and this was just something fun to distract me," Alejandra said, "It was such a great time." The California Community Foundation has supported College Access Plan with grants totaling $425,000 since 2022. Like CAP, many other CCF grantees have also had to make wildfire recovery a top priority since January. Ca'Leah King, a parent, said the program has been a godsend to her and her son, Evan Wade. Evan began the program in sixth grade at Wilson Middle School, stayed with it through graduation from Pasadena High School and is still connected as a member of I Heart College, which supports CAP alumni through their college journey. Evan now attends UC Berkeley. King said the wildfires forced them to flee their Altadena apartment and scramble from "hotel to hotel, Airbnb to Airbnb." 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As Pasadena Unified School District sites remained shuttered for weeks, Hyman and her staff switched into overdrive to help school administrators contact students, assess their needs and distribute donations. After connecting with students, they learned that the wildfires had created new challenges with some of their college plans. Families who had lost homes, cars, jobs and other sources of security needed to file appeals for more financial aid. Katarine and Matthew Hart, twin siblings who attend John Muir High School, both plan to attend the University of Hawaii this fall – but after the wildfires destroyed their family's home, the annual $38,000 cost of attendance per student is a bigger stretch to afford. With Ramos' help, they are filing financial aid appeals. Other students are revising their college choices. 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College Access Plan board members are shifting strategies to address this challenge. Rather than focus on expansion to other regions, the nonprofit is doubling down on serving their Pasadena and Altadena families as questions loom on how many will stay in the area once the school year ends and what support they will continue to need. Hyman said CAP will invest more in peer counseling grounded in trauma care as they explore other ways they can support the community's disaster recovery efforts. In the meantime, they will continue their foremost mission – to help underserved students prepare for college. The effort began in 2006 by Hyman and Kathleen Parent as a way to address the gap in college knowledge and enrollment among Pasadena public school students who are low-income and the first in their families to attend college. The program initially began at John Muir High School, and now serves students at four elementary schools and all middle and high schools in the Pasadena Unified School District. It also serves students at all four high schools in the Hacienda La Puente School District. Staff members have developed a thick folder of curriculum that includes information about colleges, financial aid, essays, resumes, "brag sheets," careers, majors and transcript reviews. About 98% of seniors who attend at least three sessions – either visiting the program centers on campus or taking a course on college fundamentals or essay writing – advance to postsecondary education. Four-fifths of them graduate or remain enrolled in college over six years, Hyman said. Alejandra will join the alumni program as a student at Cypress College studying to become an ultrasound technician. She credits Ramos and other CAP staff for helping her turn around a slow start in high school and gain confidence, leadership skills and entry into a path toward a well-paying career in the health services. "I love this program so much," she said. "They've been really super duper helpful and have given me so much support." Media Contact: Gilien Silsby, gsilsby@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE California Community Foundation

Newsweek

12-06-2025

• Newsweek

Cat Returned to Shelter for Being Too Needy—Then Everything Changed

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 7-year-old cat named Art has finally found his forever home after being returned to shelter for being "too needy." Art first arrived at the shelter in California after being found alone in Altadena following the Eaton Fire in January, a spokesperson for the Pasadena Humane, Kevin McManus, told Newsweek. "We suspected that he was an outdoor community cat, but no one came forward to reclaim him. While he was here, he interacted with our volunteers positively, but would occasionally give indications that he was a little nervous with people," McManus said. Art was eventually adopted by an experienced cat owner seeking a chilled-out lap companion, and although the cat did show his sweet side to her, she couldn't deal with his behavior when overstimulated, and decided to take him back to shelter. "He would sometimes play bite or swat at the adopter. She was concerned that she was not the right person for him, and, quite frankly, this was a wise decision as he ultimately (accidentally) bit her to the point of drawing blood," McManus said. So Pasadena Humane took to Facebook to help Art find a better match for his affectionate and playful energy. "If you're looking for a Velcro kitty who always wants to be the center of attention (and will show off his perfectly fluffy belly to make sure that happens), seven-year-old Art is probably the cat for you!" Pasadena Humane said in a post shared on Friday. After the message went viral, Art the cat was quickly adopted by another very experienced family looking to add a new feline to their home. "[They] had a feisty cat previously, so his behavior did not faze them," McManus said. While Art was lucky enough to find a family willing to give him a chance, for many other felines in shelter things don't always go this way. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that, of the 2.9 million cats that entered U.S. shelters in 2024, about 2.2 million were adopted, 362,000 were returned to their owner or the field, 369,000 were transferred to other organizations, and 273,000 were euthanized. The majority of animals in shelter, about 60 percent, enter as stray; however, almost 30 percent are surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them. An image shared by Pasadena Humane shows Art lying on a bed of towels. An image shared by Pasadena Humane shows Art lying on a bed of towels. @pasadenahumane The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 21,000 likes and 1,900 comments on the platform. One user, Myra Austin Cochran, commented: "Who turns in a cat for 'being too needy?" Lakin Danielle Sizemore posted: "How could a person return him for being too needy? THEY ARE NOT A TRUE CAT PERSON! Because … I beg for my cats to come snuggle with me and they ignore me." Tina Banks added: "A pet that loves you, and loves to be near you and show affection? how hard that must have been for them. Maybe they should just get a pet rock instead." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.