How to Help Animals Affected by the Kincade Fire

As the Kincade Fire continues to spread in Sonoma County, Bay Area animal-lovers, pet stores and shelters are helping animals that have been displaced by the rapidly moving wildfire.

Find tips and updated community resources below — whether you are evacuating with pets, looking for a lost animal or just want to support furry friends in need.

Animal Evacuation Tips Lost and Found Animals Evacuation Shelters and Animal Boarding Donation Needs

(L-R) Hillary Hansen, Hillary Merrill and Dr. Emily Putt check on horses that were left in a barn after the Kincade Fire burned through the area on October 27, 2019 in Windsor, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Animal Evacuation Tips

“The best thing is for people to take their pets with them,” said Lisa Bloch, spokesperson for the Marin Humane Society, during the 2017 North Bay fires. “But if they can’t, certainly there’s a lot of people out there to help.”

Evacuation sites and emergency boarding shelters often have free supplies and will take in animals without medical records. But if you have time to prepare for evacuating with your pet, here’s what you should remember:

Small animals

Attach a form of identification to your pet Make sure microchip information is up to date Pack leashes, food and vet records Bring three days worth of food and water Have a photo of you and your pet together for identification

Find more information from the ASPCA here.

Large animals

Mark your animal with information using a luggage tag Remove any halters or fly masks, which can possibly burn or get snagged Bring fresh water and hay available for 72 hours Create an evacuation plan and leave early if possible Have full-frame and closeup photographs for identification Leave open any gates or fences if you have to leave without them

For more information from the UC David School of Veterinary Medicine, click here.

Lost and Found Animals

If you find an animal that is lost, it’s best to keep it in the county where it was found, if possible, for the best chance for reunification with its owner.

You can report found pets or search for lost ones through the County of Sonoma database.  The county also has a map of lost dogs and cats.

Local shelter and community Facebook pages have become hubs for reuniting owners with lost pets:

Pet Rescue and Reunification Facebook: The group also has a resource document that is continually updated. Humane Society of Sonoma County Kincade Fire Lost and Found Pets (#kincadefire) And More Evacuation Info Josie’s Lost Dog Alert of Sonoma County

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Evacuation Shelters and Animal Boarding

Here is where you can evacuate with your pets or seek temporary animal boarding:

Horses/Livestock

Alameda County Fairgrounds: 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566 Petaluma Fairgrounds: 100 Fairgrounds Dr, Petaluma Sonoma County Fairgrounds: 1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa

Small Animals

Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building: 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Petaluma Community Center: 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954 Muir Memory Care: 750 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954 Iglesia Cristiana: 1129 Industrial Ave #104, Petaluma, CA 94952 Napa Valley Expo: 575 3rd St, Napa, CA 94559 CrossWalk Community Church Napa: 2590 1st St Napa, CA 94558 St. Mary’s Cathedral: 1111 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Birds of a Feather: 1538 Pacific Ave #114, San Francisco VCA Animal Hospitals: Free boarding assistance for dogs, cats and other species. VCA of Sonoma, Eastside & Westside and Sequoia are no longer accepting animals.

Cows stand on a field as fire approaches them atop a hillside during the Kincade fire near Geyserville, California on October 24, 2019. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

Donation Needs

Shelters and pet stores around the Bay Area are accepting donations for pets who have been displaced or are in need.

It’s best to call or check online to see if any needs have changed. Because needs can change quickly, monetary donations are often preferred.

Monetary Donations

Humane Society of Sonoma County Sonoma Community Animal Response Team The Marin Humane Society

Supplies

Omnivore Books in San Francisco is accepting pet supply donations for Sonoma shelters. The Marin Humane Society needs towel donations because they are unable to do laundry due to a power blackout. Sonoma County Animal Services needs supplies. Donate to their Amazon wishlist here.

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