Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) saved 80 ducks as California’s Mountain Fire displaced animals, destroyed homes, and decimated more than 19,000 acres as it tore through the region, local news reported.
The ducks were in one of the evacuation zones, so VCAS escorted them to the Camarillo Animal Shelter for safety, posting a video of the winged animals quacking and flapping their way out of the transport carrier. Luckily, the orders were lifted the next day, and VCAS posted another video of staff trying to herd the adorable ducks back into their transport carrier to return home.
438 at-risk animals were rescued by VCAS from the Mountain Fire’s path, including horses, chickens, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats. The shelter reported that most of the animals had been picked up by their guardians as soon as it was safe.
VCAS’s social media pages were full of posts about heartwarming stories of companion animals reuniting with their relieved families. Still, many animals found without collars were also brought to the shelter. The chaos during disasters may often frighten and confuse companion animals. As a result, cats and dogs may run or hide and get lost in the commotion. Guardians are encouraged to make a plan in the case of disasters and can find checklists and tips at Ready.gov and VCAS.
Lady Freethinker commends VCAS and the Camarillo Animal Shelter for doing everything they could to save large and small animals alike. Thanks to VCAS, hundreds of animals were saved and are back home, safe with their families.
