Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Pasadena Humane Completes the Largest Rescue Mission in Its History

Skinny Minnie arrived at Pasadena Humane covered in severe burns from the Eaton Fire. She received extensive expert veterinary care for her injuries and after four months of healing was reunited with her family. [Pasadena Humane]

THERESE EDU

One year ago, on the evening of January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire ignited above Altadena. By the time it was contained, Pasadena Humane had completed what the California Community Foundation called the largest emergency animal rescue operation in the shelter’s more than 100 years of operation.

The organization helped 1,500 animals affected by the fire, according to CCF, which provided grant support through its Wildfire Recovery Fund. The grant enabled the shelter to purchase additional kennels and oxygen cages for animals suffering from smoke inhalation, and to convert meeting and training rooms into temporary boarding spaces, the foundation reported.

On the first night of evacuations, the shelter accepted more than 100 animals. By 6:30 p.m. on January 8, that number had grown to more than 300, Pasadena Humane reported.

“We are a different organization than we were January 6th of 2025,” said Chris Ramon, the shelter’s president and CEO. “I don’t know that we’ll ever be the same organization we were.”

The fire, which burned approximately 14,117 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 9,000 structures, killed at least 19 people, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner in mid-January 2025.

The shelter coordinated its response with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, CAL FIRE, the LA County Fire Department, and the Pasadena City Manager’s Office. National and regional partners included the ASPCA, American Humane, San Diego Humane Society, and North Valley Animal Disaster Group. Partner shelters took animals that had been in Pasadena Humane’s care before the fire to free space for the influx of evacuated pets, CCF reported.

Among the animals treated was a cat named Minnie, found days after the fire with severe burns and smoke inhalation. She received extensive free treatment before being reunited with her family, according to CCF.

But not all cases were resolved. About 40 animals were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them, according to Pasadena Humane spokesperson Kevin McManus. Those animals were placed for adoption. Fewer than a dozen Eaton Fire animals remain in care today, owned by families who still cannot find pet-inclusive housing.

The crisis also revealed long-term community need. Pasadena Humane’s Helping Paws program, which normally assists about 800 animals annually with food, bedding, and preventive care, had helped nearly 15,000 animals by late 2025, according to CCF. The shelter distributed more than 150,000 pounds of pet food in that period.

Community members contributed approximately 2,500 volunteer hours in January 2025 alone, the foundation reported.

Ramon said the experience showed capacities the organization “had never imagined.”

“The Eaton Fire pushed us to our limits, but in a good way,” he said.