As Colorado braces itself for red flag warnings and the looming threat of wildfires, New Mexico has already endured a historic wildfire season that began with the eruption of the Calf Canyon Fire back in April. After merging with another wildfire, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire blazed through nearly 320,000 acres, setting the record for the largest wildfire in the state’s history. Wildfires impact pets as much as they do people, and lucky for the pets of New Mexico, they’ve got support from Larimer Humane Society.
Captured Cat From Wildfire
In collaboration with the ASPCA, three animal shelters in Colorado received emergency transfers of shelter cats displaced by the wildfires that spread through northern New Mexico this past May. The ASPCA activated its disaster response team to assist with the evacuation of homeless animals from New Mexico-based shelters to free up space and resources to care for displaced pets in impacted communities. Evacuation efforts included a ground transportation from New Mexico carrying 20 cats from Española Humane to Larimer Humane Society, Foothills Animal Shelter, and Longmont Humane Society.
Only two days after the arrival from Española Humane Society, Larimer Humane Society welcomed 16 more cats from Hobbs Animal Shelter located near the New Mexico/Texas border. Hobbs Animal Shelter was forced to evacuate entirely as the threat of wildfire drew closer to the shelter walls. “As a community that knows all too well the profound impact that wildfires can have on families and their pets, we jumped at the opportunity to provide support for both Española and Hobbs,” said Amanda Myers, Director of Development & Community Relations. “We’re happy to welcome these cats into our shelter and confident that such deserving pets won’t remain ‘displaced’ for much longer.”
Judy Calhoun is the CEO of Larimer Humane Society. For more information visit larimerhumane.org.