Pets Impacted By Kincade Fire: Santa Cruz Co. Sheltering Animals

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is preparing to transport and house adoptable pets from Rohnert Park Animal Services in Sonoma County, to help increase capacity there for animals received due to the Kincade Fire.

SCCAS is also taking in pets, including a large tortoise, from Sonoma County residents who have fled to Santa Cruz County to stay with friends or family but have nowhere to house their animals.

SCCAS continues to experience an overload of cats and kittens. Shelter staff have reached out to more than 15 volunteers to foster cats and kittens currently at the shelter in order to make space for the Kincade Fire animals.

“’Open Door, Open Heart’ means not turning away any animal, and right now the animals and families affected by these fires need our help. We are sending staff and volunteers to Rohnert Park to transport animals in need and we will continue to keep our doors open to the neediest animals,” Shelter Manager Benjamin Winkleblack said.

Through November 30, SCCAS is also offering a $25 “Pay it Forward” special for cats and kittens adoptions, which includes spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, fleas/worms treatment, cat carrier and a pet wellness exam with participating veterinarians.

SCCAS is also asking the community to “Pay it Forward” to their community’s neediest animals by donating at least $25 to one of the following funds:
• Planned Pethood Fund, which funds FREE spay/neuter surgeries
• Extra Mile Fund, which allows medical rehabilitation for animals beyond what our shelter budget permits
• Healthy Pets for All Fund, which purchases pet food, pet toys, flea medication and other supplies for underserved animals in the community
• General Program Donation Fund, which supports animal adoption, animal enrichment and public outreach and education programs