Heartbreaking Numbers Show Just How Many Pets Are Still Waiting to Go Home
The devastation left behind by the Eaton Fire is more than just a statistic—it’s a heartbreaking reality for hundreds of families desperately searching for their lost pets. The Pasadena Humane Society has worked tirelessly to reunite over 400 animals with their owners, but more than 100 remain unclaimed, waiting in overcrowded shelters, unsure if they’ll ever see their families again.
The shelter is beyond capacity, with nearly 1,000 animals taken in since the fire started. Volunteers are scrambling to provide care, while pet lovers across the region are stepping up to help. The road to recovery is long, and there’s still so much to be done to ensure every displaced animal finds safety and, hopefully, their way back home.
1. A 200-Pound Tortoise Named Huckleberry Is Still Waiting for His Family
Among the displaced animals, one of the most unexpected residents of the shelter is a massive 200-pound tortoise named Huckleberry. This gentle giant was found wandering through a burned neighborhood, slowly making his way through the scorched terrain.
Shelter workers suspect he was part of a backyard setup before the fire forced his owners to flee. According to the Los Angeles Times, staff have been desperately trying to track down his family, but so far, no one has stepped forward. He’s currently being housed in a special enclosure, and while he’s safe for now, he’s still waiting for the familiar faces of his loved ones to bring him home.
2. Chickens and Goats Have Taken Over the Emergency Shelter
It’s not just cats and dogs filling up the Pasadena Humane Society—chickens and goats have arrived in large numbers, adding a new challenge for shelter staff. These animals, often overlooked during disasters, were found wandering through fire-ravaged areas, some suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.
According to Pasadena Humane Society , rescuers have been working around the clock to care for these farm animals, ensuring they have proper enclosures, food, and medical care. Reuniting them with their owners has proven difficult, as many were kept in backyard coops or small farms without identification. The shelter is doing its best, but resources are stretched thin, and every day counts.
3. Dogs With Burned Paws and Smoke Inhalation Are Still Recovering
Many of the dogs brought in from the fire zone arrived with painful burns on their paws and difficulty breathing due to smoke inhalation. Some were found huddled under cars, others wandering aimlessly with singed fur and soot-covered faces.
As reported by Good Morning America, shelter veterinarians have been working tirelessly to treat these injuries, providing emergency care and pain management. Recovery is slow, and for some dogs, it could take weeks before they are healthy enough to be adopted or reunited. While some have already been claimed, many more are waiting in limbo, hoping their owners will find them before it’s too late.
4. The Shelter Is Overrun With Cats Who Have No Microchips
Cats have always been difficult to track down after natural disasters, and the Eaton Fire is no exception. The Pasadena Humane Society has taken in hundreds of felines, but the majority of them have no microchips or tags, making reunification nearly impossible.
According to ABC News, shelter staff have extended the usual stray hold period from 5 days to 21 days in hopes of finding more owners. While some lucky cats have been reclaimed, dozens more remain unclaimed, sitting in cages, waiting for a miracle. Without proper identification, these cats could be permanently displaced, forced into new homes despite their families searching for them elsewhere.
5. There’s a Massive Waiting List for Families Looking to Surrender Their Pets
Not all the animals at the Pasadena Humane Society were lost in the fire. Some were surrendered by families who could no longer care for them due to the disaster’s financial toll. The shelter is currently at full capacity for larger dogs, and at least 50 families are on a waiting list, hoping to surrender their pets.
As stated by The Spokesman, the situation has reached a breaking point. Families are making heartbreaking choices, and the shelter is struggling to accommodate the growing number of homeless animals. With no clear end in sight, the need for adoptions and fosters is more urgent than ever.
6. Volunteers Are Working Nonstop, But More Help Is Desperately Needed
The shelter is relying heavily on dedicated volunteers, but the workload continues to grow as more animals are brought in daily. Many of these animals require specialized care, and the staff alone cannot keep up with the demand. For more information go to Pasadena Humane Society.
Community members willing to assist with cleaning kennels, feeding, and walking dogs can make a significant impact. Even a few hours a week can help alleviate the pressure on overworked shelter employees and ensure every animal receives attention.
7. Fosters Are Urgently Needed to Make Room for More Animals
The shelter’s foster program has been crucial in creating space for new arrivals, but the number of animals needing temporary homes is overwhelming. Many fosters have stepped up, yet the need remains high, particularly for large dogs and senior pets.
Taking in a pet for even a short period helps reduce stress on the animal and provides valuable space in the shelter. If you have ever considered fostering, now is the time to make a difference and save lives. For more information, visit Pasadena Humane Society.
8. Donations Are Pouring In, But The Shelter Still Needs More Support
The generosity of the community has been remarkable, with people donating everything from pet food to medical supplies. However, the sheer volume of displaced animals means that these resources are being depleted rapidly.
Financial donations are especially valuable as they allow the shelter to purchase exactly what is needed. With veterinary costs skyrocketing, any contribution can directly aid an injured or sick pet on their road to recovery. For more information, visit Pasadena Humane Society.
9. Social Media Has Become the Best Tool for Reuniting Pets With Their Families
Many pet owners have been successfully reunited with their lost animals thanks to viral social media posts. Photos of found pets are being shared widely, giving families hope that they may be able to find their missing companions.
If you want to help, simply sharing a post from the shelter’s page or your local lost pet group could be the key to bringing a pet home. The more visibility these animals get, the higher the chance of a successful reunion.
10. The Shelter Still Faces an Uncertain Future, But Community Support Can Change Everything
Despite all the efforts, many animals are still without homes, and the future of the shelter remains uncertain. The Pasadena Humane Society continues to work around the clock, but long-term solutions are needed to accommodate the influx of displaced pets.
The Pasadena Humane Society is doing everything it can to handle this crisis, but they can’t do it alone. Every volunteer, every donation, and every social media share brings these animals one step closer to finding their families again. The road ahead is still uncertain, but with continued support, we can help ensure that no pet is left behind. For more information, visit Pasadena Humane Society.