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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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A rescue flight carrying 57 shelter animals—39 dogs and 18 cats—from Los Angeles shelters landed at Boeing Field in Seattle on Sunday, responding to the impact of deadly wildfires in Southern California.
The animals were distributed to Seattle Humane and other local rescue organizations, including The Pittie Project PNW in Bellingham, Washington.
Seattle Humane PR & Social Media Specialist Brandon Macz told Newsweek, "We were so happy to have the capacity to assist with this disaster-relief rescue flight and hope to be able to take in more pets again soon."
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Why It Matters
Los Angeles area shelters were already at overcapacity before the wildfires, and the emergency has created an urgent need for space to house displaced pets.
As firefighting efforts intensify across Southern California, the situation remains critical. Containment has improved on all large fires nationwide, but evacuations and closures remain in effect.
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What To Know
The rescue mission, coordinated by Wings of Rescue, relocated animals from Paws For Life K9 Rescue and Rory to the Rescue in Mission Hills, California.
Seattle Humane will take 45 of the animals, placing them in temporary shelter and preparing them for adoption to homes in the western Washington region.
The Pittie Project PNW received six dogs from the flight.
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How To Help
Numerous Southern California animal welfare organizations are actively seeking assistance.
Best Friends Animal Society operates two walk-in pet pantries in Los Angeles and Granada Hills, providing essential supplies like pet food, litter, and leashes. Those interested in fostering can contact FosterLA@bestfriends.org. Pasadena Humane, managing over 300 evacuated animals, needs monetary donations for emergency resources and medical care.
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Additional organizations seeking support include the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, SPCALA, the Labelle Foundation, Animal Wellness Foundation, Lange Foundation, and Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.
What People Are Saying
Brandon Macz, Seattle Humane PR & Social Media Specialist: "These were all animals who had been in the shelter system before the wildfires started and bringing them here to the Pacific Northwest will free up space for local shelters in the LA area to assist in taking in the many displaced pets there and reunite them with their families."
Ashley Georgia, The Pittie Project PNW President: "They're in desperate need of getting dogs out so they can make room for the displaced dogs coming in. When they come in, we allow them to decompress. We give them time to relax before we start assessing them."
Alison Waszmer, Seattle Humane Animal Care Director: "We'll get them fed, tucked in for the night and tomorrow we'll get them medical exams and get to know them. We were able to say, 'how can we help', and everybody jumped into action and here we are."
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What Happens Next
The pets are expected to be available for adoption starting Tuesday, January 14, according to Seattle Humane. The organization, which previously assisted during the Maui wildfires and Hurricane Ian relief efforts, continues to monitor the situation for additional support needs.
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