Animals Displaced by Wildfires Are Still Seeking Homes

The San Francisco SPCA is helping with relief efforts in response to the deadly wildfires that have swept across Northern California, taking in more than 30 adoptable animals from North Bay shelters to make room for animals rescued from the wildfires.

Of the 34 animals (17 cats and 17 dogs) the shelter has taken in, nearly half have been adopted or are pending adoption. Ten aren't yet available for adoption, but one dog and eight cats are, said S.F. SPCA spokeswoman Krista Maloney.

"By transferring them to San Francisco, we're helping to make room in North Bay shelters for displaced pets and animals rescued from the fires," Maloney told KQED in an email. "We're also freeing up staff time, so the employees and volunteers can focus on helping the new arrivals."

It's one of many efforts by Bay Area animal shelters, pet stores and animal lovers to support pets and farm animals that have been displaced by the fires.

The shelter also has been providing supplies such as towels, crates, pet food and veterinary supplies, as well as financial support to shelters that are taking on rescued animals.

The animals that the S.F. SPCA has taken in were already in shelters when the fires broke out. Now that the animals are in San Francisco, they're available for adoption at both SPCA locations (one is in the Mission District, and the other is in Pacific Heights). Most of the cats and dogs have been adopted, but there are a few still available, such as Denali the cat and Franny the dog.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco shelter continues to offer support to shelters in affected areas by soliciting donations, volunteers and foster homes to house animals that have been rescued. But according to Maloney, the outpouring of support for North Bay shelters has been so great that they currently don't need any more supplies.

"The shelters we're working with in North Bay are now fully stocked and are no longer accepting in-kind donations," she said.

At this point, Maloney said monetary donations to the S.F. SPCA are the best way that people can help.

"Currently, our Disaster Fund is being used to purchase specialty medical supplies and care for the animals we've transferred from North Bay," she said.