Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2025) – At approximately noon today, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Rescue RV traveled north, loaded with supplies to assist Los Angeles County fire victims and their pets. Packed with pet food, leashes and collars, water bowls, pet crates, cat litter and litter boxes, along with human food, bottled waters and hygiene supplies, the rescue vehicle is in route to the Agora Hills Animal Shelter. Helen Woodward Animal Center is currently seeking tangible donations that will be delivered via the Center’s rescue vehicle in multiple trips over the next several days.
The fires that erupted across Los Angeles, beginning Tuesday and still being battled today, are said to have been fueled by powerful winds and extensive drought conditions. The result – a perfect and devastating storm of apocalyptic proportion, destroying hundreds of homes and killing at least five people. The unprecedented event includes at least five active fires in Los Angeles County, covering more than 40 square miles across the region, according to Cal Fire.
In the tragedy, hundreds of residents have lost everything, considered “lucky” to simply get out alive with their families and pets. Shelters are set up around Los Angeles County to provide a space for the now homeless families but the need is great. With gratitude to the Linda C. Scott Fund for Animal Welfare, The San Diego Foundation, and the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust, Helen Woodward Animal Center Center’s Rescue RV is honored to assist. The vehicle – completely retrofitted with veterinary equipment and supplies for such emergencies – is hoping to make even a small dent in the needs of the fire victims.
The Center’s rescue vehicle will be making multiple trips to shelters in Los Angeles County where the need is most crucial. To aid in the donation, Blue Buffalo is providing pet food, Barons Market is providing fruit, snack items, cold brew coffee and bottled water and Midwest Vet is supplying pet crates. Helen Woodward Animal Center has set-up a donation drop-off in front of the Center’s Adoption building and is seeking the following tangible goods for distribution:
PET SUPPLIES: Pet food; Leashes and collars; Pet beds; Litter boxes: Cat litter; Pet toys; Crates and kennels
HUMAN SUPPLIES: Blankets; New or gently used clothes; Hygiene products (Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, Saline solution, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Hand sanitizer); Baby supplies (Diapers, Formula, Wet wipes)
GENERAL SUPPLIES: Paper towels; Toilet paper; Portable chargers; Food; Bottled water
Additionally, Helen Woodward Animal Center is in touch with partner organizations in the Los Angeles area for more ways to help. These partner organizations are not currently in fire danger but may eventually reach capacity, taking in lost pets.
“We never pull lost animals,” said Helen Woodward Animal Center Pet Acquisition Manager LaBeth Thompson. “We want all pets to be reunited with their owners. However, we have often been able to help free-up shelter space by taking in animals who were in the shelter prior to the tragedy. We are standing by, ready to do this, if the need arises.”
In the meantime, Helen Woodward Animal Center will make trips to the area to provide supplies and help, where needed. The community can participate in the efforts by dropping off donation items in front of the Center’s adoption building.
All monetary donations should be made directly to the Los Angeles SPCA at directly to LA SPCA at https://spcala.com/
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, please visit https://animalcenter.org or call (858) 756-4117.
****
About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
