Over 200 wildfires continue to burn in BC’s interior, and over 14, 000 have been evacuated. Thousands of others remain on alert, ready to leave at a moments notice.
Many of the residents who were forced out of their homes due to wildfires, have animals, but what happens if they can’t get them out?
Ron McConnell is a National Board member for the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team. He recently relocated from BC to Summerside, PEI, but quickly headed back when the fires began to burn out of control.
He says they have a full shelter set up in Princeton, for large and small animals, “Right now, we have about 35 horses, eight goats, six chickens. We’ve had a couple of budgies, cats, dogs, mules, and a real cross section of what a typical rural residents would have.”
McConnell says evacuees notify CDART if animals have to be left behind, and they will go in and get them. They are also caring for animals for those who have no place to go.
