As wildfires burn across the state, animal advocates are urging Coloradans to remember their animals as they make emergency preparations.
The Summit County Animal Control and Shelter is on-call for those affected by the Peak 2 fire in the Breckenridge area, where 450 homes have been evacuated and many more are on high-alert under pre-evacuation notice. The shelter can take small pets and has arranged safe zones with local livestock owners and ranchers north of Silverthorne for large animals such as cows and horses, said Lesley Hall, the county’s animal control director.
So far the shelter has only received one cat and one dog due to evacuations, but if necessary, the county will use the additional animal shelter located next to the evacuation center at Summit Middle School in Frisco.
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control spokeswoman Caley Fisher said animal owners should prepare a 72-hour kit for animals and have a plan to transport them in an emergency.
“Being prepared can make all the difference for a person and their pets in a life-threatening situation,” Fisher said.
Emergency experts advise animals owners to take pets and livestock with them during an evacuation whenever possible. Barry Smith, emergency management director for Eagle County, said that might not be an option for horse or cow owners. In cases where people cannot transport their livestock on their own, Smith said Eagle County’s Animal Response team can help relocate animals to the county fairgrounds. It is unlikely that the Gutzler fire currently burning in the county will lead to evacuations.
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Walt Stowe said ranchers and farmers in the county often enlist each other’s help with transporting large animals during a wildfire. The county also has three animal control deputies to help with evacuations. Animals are kept at the county’s fairgrounds in case of emergency.
PETA, the animal rights group, offered pointers Thursday to keep animals safe in wildfire conditions.The group insists that people evacuating should never leave animals behind, and recommends checking with shelters and hotels to see if they will accept animals during emergencies before they arrive.
Pet owners also should remember to never leave an animal alone in a parked car. Doing so can cause the animal to panic or suffer heat stroke in high temperatures. Animals should be kept on-leash or in carriers. Owners who evacuate should take at least a week’s worth of pet food.
With dry, smoky conditions across the state, owners are encouraged to keep their animals indoors if there is visible smoke in the aire and refrain from outdoor activities. Visibility of less than five miles due to smoke means air quality is dangerous for both animals and humans.