Best Friends Animal Society steps up to help wildfire pets
- Best Friends Animal Society
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The devastating wildfires in Spokane, Washington, and other western states have affected wild animals and pets in those areas. Best Friends Animal Society has stepped in to help with aid, seeking donations from pet lovers everywhere.
“The crisis is far from over, and we’re so grateful for your support,” says Best Friends CEO Julie Castle. “With your help, more families can be reunited, more pets can get the veterinary care and medicine they need to stay healthy, and more shelter and veterinary workers can get the assistance they need.’’
Here’s the most up-to-date news on what’s happening:
Best Friends continues to lead the pet task force for Washington. Current efforts are focused on improving statewide visibility of animals being supported at evacuation locations, identifying unmet needs, coordinating available resources, and reducing duplication among responding organizations.
As evacuation orders are lifted in some areas, we’re shifting our efforts from evacuation and emergency sheltering toward reunification, veterinary care, replacement supplies, and longer-term recovery support. However, with wildfires still active across the state, we’re still monitoring statewide activity and addressing potential needs for animals and their families.
The animal assistance hotline has supported more than 50 callers since activation, with requests ranging from evacuation and resource questions to animal care needs for displaced families. One family, for example, rushed out with their cat and made it to safety, but in their haste, they left their cat's asthma medication behind. With one phone call, our team was able to quickly replace the medicine, allowing everyone (feline included) to breathe a little easier.
Best Friends joined the Disaster Assistance Center in Spokane, which is a key resource for families with pets as they navigate recovery. This provides a direct connection to impacted residents while further integrating animal support into the broader community recovery effort.
A dedicated volunteer veterinary coordinator has been added to our emergency response team, helping to relieve staff at the Mt. Spokane Veterinary Hospital and care for animals in need. To get more volunteers, Best Friends is offering travel assistance for Washington-based veterinarians who can support response needs in Spokane.
In partnership with Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS), we’ve improved shelter capacity by moving adoptable pets who were already in local shelters before the fires to trusted partner organizations. Thanks to offers of support from more than 24 organizations, there’s now more space to care for pets displaced by the wildfires and help reunite them with their families.
To make a donation, click here: https://secure.bestfriends.org/page/FUNFXJKUWUH?utm_campaign=spokanefires26&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9vbTMZev5Uu4O6K13vc-Kri4oSYa-hpOwTVBQI3lPXAjw25oVVr_jThYl4eRHW-GVzh34Y9vsuSVAPvqPT3zb-zgK90w&_hsmi=432928408&utm_content=spokanefiresemail081226&utm_source=hubspot
Comments