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.

91裸聊视频淎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 wouldn91裸聊视频檛 allow them to leave them behind,91裸聊视频� says Judanna Dawn. She owns Angel91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淲e already have 39 dogs on the premises, so getting a call in the middle of the night isn91裸聊视频檛 ideal, but they91裸聊视频檙e not willing to leave animals to suffer, and we91裸聊视频檙e ready to help. We91裸聊视频檒l make space. When an animal is suffering we can91裸聊视频檛 say no.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淏andages just weren91裸聊视频檛 going to cut it,91裸聊视频� says Dawn. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 happier today, wagging his tail, giving us kisses, eating and drinking. He was exhausted, and still can91裸聊视频檛 walk, but he91裸聊视频檚 in better spirits.91裸聊视频�

All the animals that come in are being documented, and Dawn says they91裸聊视频檙e receiving calls about who belongs to who. 91裸聊视频淧eople aren91裸聊视频檛 in a position to take animals yet, so we91裸聊视频檙e making room until the owners can pick them up.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙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 they91裸聊视频檒l have a chance.91裸聊视频�

Any Venables Valley residents who want to know if their pets have been found can call or text Angel91裸聊视频檚 Animal Rescue at (250) 378-5223.