Progress is being made in a fire that has scorched 60 thousand acres in Big Sur. The Soberanes fire is 45 percent contained. Now evacuees from Palo Colorado and Cachagua are being allowed to return to their homes and for many it is a time to reunite with their pets.
Steve Hubbard picked up his four dogs at the SPCA for Monterey County. He was evacuated from his home in Cachagua a week ago. A friend offered to put him up, so he left his four dogs at the shelter.
Monterey County SPCA Outreach director Beth Brookhouser says they’ve taken in more than 220 animals during the fire. “Mostly dogs and cats, quite a few chickens, but many other animals as well: fish, a gecko, a snake, goats, a donkey, a wide variety of animals,” says Brookhouser.
The influx of animals has put a strain on the shelter. “Half of our adoption center is now housing evacuees from the fire. So we are relaying on local rescues and humane societies in other areas of California are helping us out by taking some our adoptable animals and adopting them in their communities,” says Brookhouser.
In addition to housing evacuated animals, the SPCA is providing tons of free pet food to anyone affected by the fire. Brookhouser says, "we want to keep animals with their families and especially right now when their families need them the most.”
Now that more families heading home, more of the rescued animals will be heading home as well.