Residents evacuate pets in midst of Lake Fire

As the Lake Fire continues to grow and containment falls to 21 percent, people in the High Desert are becoming increasingly concerned not only for themselves but for their pets as well.

Two shelters have been set up in Yucca Valley where people can bring their pets, both large and small.

The Town of Yucca Valley Animal Shelter is accepting small animals from evacuees at 4755 Malin Way Yucca Valley. Large animals may be taken to the Yucca Valley Equestrian Center at 7429 Avalon Avenue in Yucca Valley.

The Yucca Valley Equestrian Center has already taken in 23 horses, 3 goats and a donkey. The facility anticipated more horses and some pot-bellied pigs would be brought in later on Thursday as well.

The owners of the equestrian center said after taking in over 100 horses during the 2006 Sawtooth Fire, they’re ready for anything.

After that disaster, Pioneertown resident Brian Shaw isn’t taking any chances when it comes to making sure his horses are safe.

“We have two dogs and six horses. They’re all safe so now we can relax,” said Shaw.

Shaw has been preparing since to move his horse to safety as soon as the fire began; something equestrian center owner Cindy Lapp says every large animal owner should be ready to do.

“We are recommending very highly that you do it now before the fire gets any closer and it becomes a very stressful situation,” said Lapp.

The center has been busy all week as worried residents have been dropping off horses to ensure their safety. San Bernardino Animal Control is on site making sure all the animals that are dropped off are properly listed so there’s no confusion when owners come back to collect them.

There’s around 80 open spaces at the Yucca Valley Equestrian center and workers say when it comes to your animals safety, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Lapp said, “”It takes a whole load off to know the horses are going to be here and they’re going to be taken care of, they don’t have to worry so that frees them up to go home and take care of their house and evacuate.”

Just down the road, the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter is also ready to take in animals to keep them safe during the fire.

According to Doug Smith, supervising animal control officer for San Bernardino Animal Control, “[Yucca Valley Animal Shelter] is a place to come to if you don’t have anywhere else to take your animals. Preferably your pets should stay with you because they’ll feel more safe, they’ll be more comfortable and more secured.”

So far the animal shelter has taken in four dogs, a cat, chickens and a few ducks. Pet owners can take comfort that the shelter will remain open 24 hours during the fire emergency, and Shaw is grateful there are people watching over his animals during the fire storm.

“Well, I think we’ll be able to sleep tonight. I don’t know if we’ll stay the night there, maybe until they kick us out.”

And just as breathing in the smoke-filled air can be bad for humans, it’s important to keep your pets indoors as much as possible as well. If you’re evacuated or think you might be, these are the places to bring your pets.

An evacuation center for residents has been set up in Joshua Tree at 6126 Rotary Way.