Dog Displaced By LA Fires Sees Snow For First Time After Utah Adoption
The devastating fires in Los Angeles have left countless pets displaced, overwhelming local shelters already struggling with limited resources. With more animals entering the shelter system each day, staff face the challenge of balancing the influx of newcomers with the care of long-term residents. In response, shelters in cities like Portland, Seattle, and Kanab have stepped in to help by accepting displaced dogs and cats. Adopters have also rallied, providing much-needed relief and hope for these animals.
“We’re gonna go pick him out a dog,” says Lauren Templeton, walking along a chilly Utah sidewalk alongside her partner. “Gonna save one of the doggies from the LA wildfire,” says her partner, CJ, excited. This couple is headed to their local Salt Lake City shelter which just welcomed a group of dogs who were shipped from LA to Utah to open up space in the LA shelter and give these dogs a better chance at being adopted.
@lauren.templetonn Welcome home Juno! #dogadoption #lafire #animalshelter ♬ original sound – LOLO
Juno Finds a Family 600 Miles From Home
Once they arrived at the shelter, Lauren and CJ quickly met a beautiful brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix and requested a private visit with her. A little shy at first, it didn’t take long for the dog to start showing her true, goofy colors—she was affectionate, excited, and wanted to roll all over them to get pets and snuggles. Despite her long journey of more than 600 miles from LA to Salt Lake City, this sweet dog was so ready to find her forever home.
“Before we knew it, 20 minutes later, we were taking her back home,” Lauren says in a voiceover on a clip of CJ and their new dog, Juno, leaving the shelter forever. “She’s from the LA/Pasadena area, so we don’t think she’s ever seen snow before, but we think she loved it!”
Indeed, Juno seems thrilled with her new life as we watch her dash across the snow with CJ—she’ll be hitting the ski slopes in no time!
Juno got the happy ending she deserved, and thanks to countless volunteers and shelter staff around the country, many other dogs impacted by the LA fires will get a chance at that same happy ending.
Shelters Accepting Pets From LA Fires Nationwide
To address the sudden burden placed on LA animal shelters as a result of the countless displaced animals from the fires, shelters and animal rescues around the country are providing aid, and taking in the overflow. Flights, cars, buses, and vans filled with pets have transported displaced animals from LA to welcoming shelters in the hopes of relieving the LA shelter system and finding these pets new homes. The vast majority of these animals were already in the shelter system when the fires began, and are being moved to accommodate the animals that have arrived since the start of the fires.
“In the rush to evacuate a disaster such as the Palisades and Eaton fires, often pets can escape or become separated from their owners,” Best Friends Animal Sanctuary wrote in a press release published January 11th, emphasizing the importance of clearing up space in LA shelters for pets directly impacted by the fires. “It then becomes the work of first responders and shelter workers to find and secure these lost pets until they can be reunited with their owners.”
Animal lovers nationwide have been eager to help, sending supplies and making dog food donations to LA wildfire victims. Now, people have a chance to give shelter dogs a home and make it possible for animals who have lost their homes to the fires to be reunited with their humans.
Where To Adopt Dogs Displaced By LA Fires
If you’ve been following the devastation of the wildfires in California and want to adopt a dog, shelters around the country are currently receiving transports of displaced pets. This list is non-exhaustive, and other shelters may also be helping to relieve LA animal rescues during this difficult time. As the situation progresses, more animals may be transported out of the LA area.
Arizona
- Western Arizona Humane Society (Lake Havasu City)
California
- Marin Humane (Novato)
- East Bay SPCA (Oakland)
- Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (Pacific Grove)
- Pets In Need (Palo Alto & Redwood City)
- Pasadena Humane (Pasadena)
- North Bay Animal Services (Petaluma)
- San Diego Humane Society (San Diego)
- Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (San Francisco)
- San Francisco SPCA (San Francisco)
- Humane Society of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa & Healdsburg)
- Pets Lifeline (Sonoma)
Colorado
- A Friend of Jack Rescue (Denver)
- MaxFund Animal Adoption Center (Denver)
Florida
- Big Dog Ranch Rescue (Loxahatchee Groves)
Montana
- Bitter Root Humane Association (Hamilton)
Oregon
- One Tail At a Time PDX (Portland)
- Oregon Humane Society (Portland)
Texas
- Humane Society of North Texas (Fort Worth)
Utah
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kanab & Salt Lake City)
Washington
- Seattle Humane (Seattle)
