Volunteers, Vets Team Up To Save, Reunite Animals Lost In Butte, Valley Fires
DAVIS (CBS13) — Volunteers and first responders have found animals alive in the Valley and Butte fires, and are bringing them to UC Davis for help.
Of the about 40 cats at the UC Davis veterinary school, most of them have bad burns to their paws and ears that require 24-hour care.
The devastating fires continue to burn after claiming the lives of a handful of people, but no doubt many more animals and pets.
UNIDENTIFIED PETS: Pictures on UC Davis Vet Med Facebook page
The ones with bandages and looks of defeat are the lucky ones who survived the infernos.
"We have volunteers coming in 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide the care that is needed," said Dr. Erik Wisner.
He's been incredibly impressed by his staff and volunteers' selflessness, responding with the help of veterinarians in the affected areas.
"They have staging areas there, they're doing some really heroic work, they are obviously overwhelmed, so we are here as a secondary site for them," he said.
Of the 40 cats they're treating, most are suffering up to third-degree burns. Their owners were likely unable to find them before they had to run for their lives.
Staff now provide constant care for the frail felines, changing bandages and watching for any sign of infection or complications.
And it's not just cats.
"A lot of what we're seeing especially with these goats is burns to their face," said senior Emily Putt. "We're seeing a little bit of everything."
As long as they see a need, the hospital will help animal owners, some who don't even know their animal is alive.
The school is working hard to reunite the cats with their owners. They've reunited about a dozen so far.
A big help for finding owners has been when pets are microchipped.