The Unsung Heroes of Animal Rescue: A Call for Respect and Responsibility

The Unsung Heroes of Animal Rescue: A Call for Respect and Responsibility

Animal rescue groups often go unappreciated, especially during times of crisis. Recently, social media in our county erupted over the Crozier Fire, with many people unfairly criticizing local animal rescue volunteers, accusing them of not doing enough. To those who posted these comments, you should be seriously embarrassed. Here’s what you may not know:

1. We are volunteers. We receive no financial compensation for what we do.
2. We have full-time jobs and families. We juggle our responsibilities while rescuing your animals.
3. We use our own vehicles, trailers, and fuel to transport your animals.
4. We are trained and certified. We’ve completed multiple FEMA tests, and we must be certified by the county to participate. We are also members of California OES.
5. We’ve taken fire safety courses on our own time.
6. We require approval from Cal Fire and the county to enter areas behind fire lines to rescue your animals. We can’t just drive up to your home without proper authorization.
7. We must be accompanied by Animal Control, a Ham Radio Operator, and a Sheriff to ensure safety. We don’t go behind fire lines without following strict rules and laws.
8. We risk our lives to rescue YOUR pets.

To those who posted nasty comments on social media, here are a few questions:

1. What was your plan for rescuing your own animals?
2. Why didn’t you evacuate your animals when given notice? You had plenty of time. (You get a pass if you were at work and couldn’t get home.)
3. How much time or money have you volunteered or donated to help animal rescue groups?
4. Why haven’t you taken the necessary courses to be able to rescue your own animals? Isn’t that the responsible thing to do?

Those who criticize rescue groups during disasters are a sorry bunch. As Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), we understand the emotions involved when your animals are at risk, but we also have to follow protocols. We can’t simply go wherever we please; we must adhere to the chain of command and work with law enforcement and fire resources to ensure our own safety. We’re volunteers risking our lives to save your animals, so why are you trashing us?

To put it nicely, “Put a sock in it” and stop being a keyboard warrior. It’s unproductive to criticize the very people who are putting their lives on the line to save your pets, without asking for any compensation. We don’t know you; we’re not your family or neighbors. Our reward is the satisfaction of bringing an animal to safety.

It’s your responsibility to have a plan for your animals, especially large ones like horses. You should own a truck, trailer, and have an evacuation plan in place. If your horse is difficult to load, it’s your responsibility to train them. This responsibility falls on you, not the rescue group that’s trying to help.

We understand that some people are at work and can’t get to their animals—that’s why I became a volunteer and a DSW in the first place, so I could rescue my own animals if needed. Instead of complaining, why not take the courses and volunteer to help others during disasters like the Caldor and Crozier fires in our county?

If you’re unwilling to save your own animals, look in the mirror. It’s not the fault of the rescue groups or DSWs that your animals are at risk—it’s yours.

If you’ve made rude and nasty posts on social media, take them down. It reflects poorly on you. As for me, I have nothing to be ashamed of—I’m volunteering my time to help people I’ve never met. If you ever find yourself involved in a fire evacuation, take a moment to thank the volunteers at the animal evacuation centers who are taking care of your pets.