It never gets easier letting go of animals she has bonded with, said Trisha DiBernardo. Over the years, the retired fire captain from San Mateo has fostered dozens of pets.
Most recently she took in Sophie, a 2-year-old pit bull-shepherd mix relocated from a Los Angeles shelter to make room for more animals displaced by the recent cluster of wildfires, among the most destructive in California history. Still, DiBernardo continues to foster, finding the reward of helping an animal find a forever home greater than the pain of saying goodbye.
“You have them for a week or two, and you’re forming that bond. It’s very difficult,” DiBernardo said. “But if I know she’s going to a really good home, I feel like I’ve done my job. And helping shelters make room for other displaced pets is just as important.”
Although Southern California rescue organizations contacted by this news organization could not estimate the number of animals displaced by the fires, they all reported a need to clear space quickly for the newly homeless pets. Bay Area shelters are among the many rescue groups stepping in to assist overwhelmed shelters taking in a surge of animals due to devastation that has destroyed more than 12,000 homes, businesses and other structures.
Redwood City-based Pets In Need has so far received 30 cats and dogs that have been relocated.
“We have joined a large collaboration of shelters that have stepped up to help Los Angeles County shelters make room for displaced animals,” said Laura Birdsall, director of medical and behavioral services at Pets In Need. “We’ve taken in animals that were already in shelters, so these are the ones who were previously available for adoption.”
Recently relocated Sophie, who has two different eye colors, has been with her foster family for less than a month. DiBernardo said she’s adjusting well amid the chaos and still has plenty of “puppy energy.”
“She’s a cuddle bug. She’s easy to walk on a leash and gets along well with small dogs — with proper introduction,” DiBernardo said.
Other available pets included puppies ranging from 8 weeks to 3 years old, as well as young cats, all in need of fostering or adoption. Among them are Ash, a 3-year-old male gray pit bull; Beuford, a 10-month-old Doberman mix; and a group of cats named after “Toy Story” characters — Buzz, Jessie and Woody.
Pets In Need, a no-kill shelter, said there is an urgent need for foster families, adoptive pet parents and donations as more animals from Southern California are on the way.
The organization, which has shelters in Redwood City and Palo Alto, aims to “reduce pet homelessness and support the bond between people and their pets.” According to the organization, it rescues more than 1,300 animals annually and assists more than 5,000 owned pets through its various animal welfare initiatives.
Alongside Pets In Need, the Humane Society of Sonoma County and the San Francisco SPCA have received over 70 animals from Southern California so far.
The first group of 60 animals arrived Jan. 17 via a private plane that landed at Hayward Executive Airport, while 16 dogs were transported by land on Jan. 23 from the Palmdale and Lancaster Animal Care Centers. Eight more dogs arrived in Redwood City on Wednesday from Los Angeles-based Pups Without Borders.
Nina Thompson, spokesperson for the San Diego Humane Society, said they have been housing animals rescued from the Eaton Fire while some pet owners search for permanent housing and are temporarily unable to care for their animals.
“Unfortunately, for the past two years, even before the fires, most shelters have been overwhelmed,” Thompson said. “All shelters in San Diego County have been over capacity, especially with dogs.”
That’s why moving animals to other shelters has been crucial.
Christi Metropole, president and CEO of the Stray Cat Alliance in Los Angeles, said rescuing cats presents unique challenges.
“Cats panic more easily than dogs, making them harder to catch and load into cars or kennels,” Metropole said.
Despite the challenges, Metropole said Northern California shelters have stepped up to alleviate the burden.
“Shelters across Northern California have really stepped up with generosity and kindness to help their neighbors,” Metropole said. “We have far more cats and dogs in our shelters than Northern California does, so their support has made a big difference.”
Pets In Need adoption and volunteer manager RJ Nehemiah said shelter staff have been working to keep the animals comfortable while searching for their permanent homes.
“They’re adjusting really well. For those we thought might be very stressed, we ensured they went straight to a foster family,” Nehemiah said. “We’ve had so much community support that it’s been a soft landing for them.”
As more animals arrive from fire-ravaged areas, shelters are calling on the community to foster, adopt or donate to provide these pets with stable, loving homes.
“What we really need is space in shelters,” Birdsall said. “If we make more room in Bay Area shelters, we can help Los Angeles shelters even more.”
Those who want to help displaced animals can visit Pets In Need’s website www.petsinneed.org or go to their nearest animal shelter.