In the midst of the chaos of the Shetland Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, some four-footed friends and their families have reason to be thankful.

The community of Venables Valley, southwest of Ashcroft, was evacuated on the evening of Wednesday, July 17. Due to the speed at which the fire was moving, several pets were not able to be evacuated. At least one was in its cage and about to be evacuated, but in the stress and confusion managed to escape, and could not be recovered before its owners had to leave.

Over the next two days, BC Wildfire Service firefighters who were in the community fighting the fire came across several of these pets, including one dog with badly burned paws, as well as several cats.

害羞草研究所淎lthough they were not looking for animals, and had no real method of rescuing them, they help animals as well as people, and their hearts wouldn害羞草研究所檛 allow them to leave them behind,害羞草研究所� says Judanna Dawn. She owns Angel害羞草研究所檚 Animal Rescue near Merritt, about 100 kilometres from Ashcroft, and says she got a phone call in the middle of the night asking if a rescued dog could be brought to them.

害羞草研究所淲e already have 39 dogs on the premises, so getting a call in the middle of the night isn害羞草研究所檛 ideal, but they害羞草研究所檙e not willing to leave animals to suffer, and we害羞草研究所檙e ready to help. We害羞草研究所檒l make space. When an animal is suffering we can害羞草研究所檛 say no.害羞草研究所�

When the dog was brought in, Dawn says they soaked its paws to cool them down, then got them clean and dry, treated the dog with burn medication and antibiotics, and put protective mitts on all four paws.

害羞草研究所淏andages just weren害羞草研究所檛 going to cut it,害羞草研究所� says Dawn. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 happier today, wagging his tail, giving us kisses, eating and drinking. He was exhausted, and still can害羞草研究所檛 walk, but he害羞草研究所檚 in better spirits.害羞草研究所�

All the animals that come in are being documented, and Dawn says they害羞草研究所檙e receiving calls about who belongs to who. 害羞草研究所淧eople aren害羞草研究所檛 in a position to take animals yet, so we害羞草研究所檙e making room until the owners can pick them up.害羞草研究所�

She adds that animals are still coming in to the shelter, as firefighters are still finding them.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e leaving animals that seem to be doing fine. Some sheep have migrated down to the school grounds, and the fellows are keeping an eye on the animals out there and bringing in the ones they find. Between them and us they害羞草研究所檒l have a chance.害羞草研究所�

Any Venables Valley residents who want to know if their pets have been found can call or text Angel害羞草研究所檚 Animal Rescue at (250) 378-5223.