As I write this, the fires in Los Angeles are still raging and Marin Humane transport volunteers are making the long drive back from a Los Angeles animal shelter with some precious cargo to bring back — adoption animals. During disasters, transferring animals that were already awaiting adoption out of the area frees up critical space to house the pets of those who’ve lost their homes or were evacuated. Many Bay Area animal shelters have taken in animals from L.A. shelters within the first week of the response, and discussions are underway for additional transfers if needed, including by airlift.

At the same time, a team of Marin Humane staff, including one of our registered veterinary technicians, is quickly packing up to spend several days working at Pasadena Humane, enabling their exhausted staff to find some respite. And, in all likelihood, we’ll be sending additional teams in the weeks to come as this crisis is far from over.

More than 12,000 homes have burned and by the time you read this, that number is likely to be much higher. And while human shelters are available, many don’t accept pets. Those staying with friends may not be able to bring their pets either. That’s where animal shelters come in; they can safely house animals while their worried owners deal with the aftermath of this tragedy. But these organizations can only care for those pets if they have room. That’s where shelters like Marin Humane come in.

And we’re not alone in doing this. Animal welfare organizations from across the state are helping if they’re able. We know firsthand what it’s like and are grateful to the many shelters that helped us when we turned our facility into a refuge for the pets of evacuees from the Camp and Paradise fires a few years ago.

Thanks to being an active member of state animal welfare and disaster response coalitions, we’ve been in daily contact with L.A. shelters since the fires first broke out. Having an organized, coordinated response is crucial in ensuring needs are met quickly, resources are well spent and affected areas are given support throughout their recovery process.

When we transformed our own building into an evacuation center for the pets of those displaced by fires, I remember all too well seeing them arrive with tears in their eyes and cradling their beloved pets, entrusting them to our care. As any pet owner will tell you, pets are family — and knowing their pets are safe, especially when they’ve lost so much, can often be the one bright spot in the otherwise darkest time of their lives.

Another bright spot is seeing how many people here in the Bay Area want to help. We suggest helping in one (or more) of these ways:

Foster

We always need foster homes, especially for big dogs, shy kitties and rabbits, and when our new guests arrive, a calm, quiet home would be the best place for them. And the more animals in foster homes, the more room at our shelter. Please consider signing up to become a foster at marinhumane.org/foster">marinhumane.org/foster.

Adopt

The more animals adopted here, the more room we have for new animals arriving, so now is a great time to adopt. To view our adoptable animals, go to marinhumane.org/adopt">marinhumane.org/adopt.

Look for more updates soon and thank you for supporting the people and animals affected by these tragic wildfires.

Donate

The best way to help is to donate money directly to established animal shelters in L.A. While well-intentioned, sending items, like pet food and supplies, can create much more work for these organizations. Items must be sorted, distributed or discarded and it eats up valuable time and resources. It’s much more useful to donate money directly to established organizations so they can use those donations in the most effective ways possible.

You can also donate to Marin Humane’s own disaster fund at marinhumane.org/support-us/urgent-needs">marinhumane.org/support-us/urgent-needs.

Finally, and we can’t say this enough, please ensure your own disaster plans are updated and in place, including plans for your pets. To learn more about pet disaster preparedness, visit marinhumane.org/disaster-preparedness">marinhumane.org/disaster-preparedness. You can also support Marin Humane’s disaster response fund at marinhumane.org/emergency-response">marinhumane.org/emergency-response.

Lisa Bloch is the director of marketing and communications for Marin Humane which welcomes questions about animals in our community. Visit marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.