A Calgary-based organization has initiated an emergency donation drive aimed to help people and their pets who have been impacted by the California wildfires.
Parachutes for Pets, a group that helps low-income Calgarians afford their pets, is gathering supplies to send to those affected by the fires in the Los Angeles area.
The organization’s founder and director Melissa David says they have been in touch with a rescue in California that is trying to care for injured and homeless pets.
“There’s a lengthy list of supplies that’s dwindling down there, as well as large vet bills mounting from pets who are in quite critical condition from burns and smoke inhalation,” she says.
“We know that the animal welfare world is struggling right now with just day-to-day, so an emergency like this could close your doors.”
David and several other volunteers are headed down to lend a hand to exhausted animal care workers and is hoping other Calgarians can help answer the call.
If anyone has dry pet food, or other supplies, a truck carrying donated goods is expected to leave Calgary on Saturday.
David says the group is also looking for financial donations to help pay for vet care.
“These pets are burned over large amounts of their body, their whiskers are tinged in some places,” she says. “It’s crazy.”
She says the Pasadena Humane Society had over 300 pets in their custody as of Thursday afternoon, including a big chunk that were in intensive care.
Anyone looking to help can go to ParachutesForPets.com.