DIAMOND SPRINGS, Calif. — During this high fire danger season, local organizations and community groups are prepared to support anyone who might have to evacuate. That includes housing animals during disaster situations.
One shelter has been doing the work during recent fires – and now needs help closing an emotional chapter for a fire survivor.
During the Crozier Fire, which started Aug. 6 of this year, El Dorado County Animal Services (EDCAS) temporarily took in about 180 animals – all pets of evacuees.
That was over the course of 48 hours, said EDCAS manager and chief Craig Hall.
“Fortunately, that fire was contained pretty quickly, so they all were gone home within probably a week,” Hall said.
The situation was much different during the Caldor Fire, however, which started Aug. 14, 2021, as some people were evacuated for months.
“I know we had around 150 dogs - I don’t know the exact numbers – and 300 cats. The whole building was full of cats. We had exotic birds,” said Marianne Cann, who has been an EDCAS volunteer for nine years.
She said adoption success stories are what keep her coming back – and she hopes to see success for two dogs named Bentley and Gayle.
“Bentley and Gayle are very special dogs to us because we have known them since 2021, when they came in originally during the Caldor Fire,” said shelter attendant and technician Caitlin Light.
Bentley’s and Gayle’s owner lost his Grizzly Flats home in the fire.
“He lost everything,” Cann said.
The dogs stayed at EDCAS for about two and a half months, until the man was able to return to his property. The shelter – with help from donors - connected him with temporary kennels so the dogs could return, too.
Sadly, however, the dogs had to return to the shelter just this past July, after their owner died. The shelter didn’t share details out of respect for his privacy.
“He loved those dogs,” Cann said, tearing up. “That’s why it’s special.”
Even before the Caldor Fire, Bentley had an old injury to his leg. When he returned to the shelter, the injury had worsened, so the staff made the decision to amputate his leg—to ultimately save Bentley’s life and keep him and Gayle together.
“He finally is fully recovered from the surgery. I gave him his last dose of antibiotics,” Light said. “Now they’re officially available for adoption.”
The shelter wants them adopted together.
“They’re a bonded pair,” Hall said. “They’re family, so to keep them together is one of our priorities. They’re very special dogs.”
In fact, it was Cann who reached out to ABC10, asking to share the story of these Caldor Fire survivors.
“I’m hoping this makes the difference for Gayle and Bentley,” Cann said. “They need their ‘furever’ home, so it would just be nice for that to happen for them.”
On Saturday, Oct. 19, El Dorado County Animal Services is holding a 10-year anniversary celebration; they’ve been in their Diamond Springs facility for a decade now.
The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6435 Capitol Avenue in Diamond Springs (EDCAS' West Slope Shelter).
Anyone interested in meeting Bentley and Gayle—or any of the other dogs, cats, even guinea pigs and a rooster available for adoption right now at the West Slope Shelter—can stop by and see them.
Most animals do have an associated adoption fee. People who want to help can also donate to the shelter to help fund those fees—and pay for those important surgeries some animals need before they can be adopted.
EDCAS serves the unincorporated parts of the county, as well as the cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. A person doesn’t have to live in El Dorado County in order to adopt from the shelter.
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