When the Eaton fire swept through the San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena Humane quickly mobilized to provide emergency animal care and control services, ensuring evacuees and their pets had the support they needed.
As thousands fled their homes, the organization played a critical role in sheltering animals and reuniting them with their families, underscoring the importance of preparedness and compassion in times of crisis. Within the first wave of evacuations, Pasadena Humane took in more than 600 animals. Staff and volunteers worked around the clock to ensure each pet received proper care and comfort.
In the days that followed, Altadena Animal Services reported that over 1,000 additional animals required assistance, many of whom had been left behind in homes and yards. Responders provided in-place care for animals such as koi fish, birds, chickens, and rabbits, delivering food and water, and conducting safety checks to ensure their well-being.
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While the Red Cross operated its shelter at the Convention Center, Pasadena Humane continued to provide on-the-ground support for displaced pet owners. Supplies such as food, water, and bedding were distributed to evacuees, whether they were staying in shelters or returning to temporary housing.
Pasadena Humane also delivered free pet food and other essentials to those in need. Although the number of animals still in care has dropped to around 90, the shelter’s resources remain stretched.
With summer approaching, a season that typically brings higher demand for animal services, the strain is expected to increase. Many animals displaced by the fires are still occupying space normally reserved for adoptable pets. While foster placements have helped ease the burden, more permanent homes are urgently needed. Staff emphasize that every foster or adoption makes room for another animal in need.
Kevin McManus, Pasadena Humane’s director of Public Relations & Communications, described a cheerful dog that never lost his spirit, even amid the chaos of the evacuation. She would always be out front on the sidewalk of the shelter with her family member. The dog was eventually reunited with his owner, a man who had lost his home but tearfully called the dog his “family.”
Stories like this were made possible in part by microchip technology, which played a vital role in helping hundreds of pets return to their owners. Still, several animals remain unclaimed, underscoring the continued importance of up-to-date pet identification and emergency preparedness. With the shelter still operating at capacity, the public is encouraged to help.
Adopting or fostering an animal has a direct impact, it not only gives a pet a loving home but also frees up space for others still in need. Donations of pet food, blankets, and essential supplies help sustain the shelter’s daily operations, and financial contributions are essential to cover medical care, equipment, and emergency response efforts.
The road to recovery after the Eaton Fires is long, but every act of support, from adopting to volunteering or donating, wraps animals and families in hope and care.
To help, call Pasadena Humane at (626) 792-7151or visit www.pasadenahumane.org where information about adoption, fostering, volunteering, and donation options is available.
