In response to the ongoing fires devastating the L.A. region, the city and county animal departments Tuesday issued a joint call for residents to help animals in need and relieve critical overcrowding at shelters by adopting or fostering those without homes.
Hundreds of pets have been displaced from their homes or gone missing during the week-long fires, according to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services and the L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control.
The departments are urging those not impacted by the fires to help as city and county staff continue to respond to emergency sheltering needs.
“We are committed to protecting animals during emergencies, and with the continuing devastating fire disaster, partnership with other organizations and our community is essential to support people and pets,” Marcia Mayeda, director for the county’s Animal Care and Control, said in a statement.
Both departments are offering fee-waived adoptions for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens through the month of January and urge residents to foster animals in need. Fees have been paid for the month thanks to the Petco Love and Annenberg Pet Space non-profits.
Local shelters are reaching capacity, and by fostering or adopting animals, residents can help relieve the overcrowding.
The fostering process has been streamlined, according to the animal departments. And starting Wednesday, additional volunteers will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the city of L.A.’s six animal shelters and the county’s seven sites to assist families and individuals who want to adopt or fosterer a pet.
More information is available at LAanimalServices.com/about-fostering, and animalcare.lacounty.gov/become-a-foster-caretaker.
“By fostering, adopting, or helping to reunite lost pets with their families, we can provide some relief to the many animals who are affected by these fires,” said Annette Ramirez, interim general manager of the city’s animal department.
“We know Los Angeles is a compassionate city, and we are counting on our residents to help us in this critical moment,” she added.
The city’s animal shelters are open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
County shelters are open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with limited hours on Sundays and holidays.
For those who have lost or found a pet, the city and county are partnering with Petco Love Lost, a free national lost-and-found pet database at petcolove.org/lost/.