Volunteers, Vets Race To Save Pets, Horses, Livestock, From Raging Valley Fire
CALISTOGA (CBS SF) -- Through the devastation and destruction of the Valley Fire there is a bright spot of hope when it comes to the Herculean effort on the part of vets and volunteers to save pets, horses and livestock.
As of Monday morning, the Valley Fire had burned 61,000 acres and only 5 percent contained according to Cal Fire.
The fire started Saturday and exploded in size in just a matter of hours. One resident told KPIX it spread so fast they had to paint their phone number on their horses hooves and set them free in order for them to get out of harm's way in time.
Fortunately Lake County has come together to help people who lost their homes save their pets.
All weekend, an army of volunteers and local vets were helping to treat the animals whose owners had to flee -- many with only the clothes on their backs.
They've set up an evacuation center in Calistoga catering to pets of all shapes and sizes -- calves, cows, horses, cats and dogs.
Joy Flemming of the Calistoga Pet Clinic said she evacuated her family along with her three horses. She said the donations for the animals alone have been incredible.
"There is everything from water to rakes to horse treats, dog treats, dog food."
"Some of the animals are going through a lot of stress and fortunately we have a lot of great people around here and a lot of resources so we've been able to get them housed appropriately, fed watered and calmed down," added veterinarian Steve Franklin.
Volunteers even saved a litter of puppies that would likely have been euthanized if volunteers hadn't gotten the help they needed.
More help was on the way Monday morning. Yolo County County Sheriff's Mountain Posse was coming to help assist the evacuated animals.
A lot of evacuees are worried about pets they had to leave behind.
A Facebook page has been set up for people to post photos of lost and found animals.
