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.

sa国际传媒淎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 wouldnsa国际传媒檛 allow them to leave them behind,sa国际传媒� says Judanna Dawn. She owns Angelsa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淲e already have 39 dogs on the premises, so getting a call in the middle of the night isnsa国际传媒檛 ideal, but theysa国际传媒檙e not willing to leave animals to suffer, and wesa国际传媒檙e ready to help. Wesa国际传媒檒l make space. When an animal is suffering we cansa国际传媒檛 say no.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淏andages just werensa国际传媒檛 going to cut it,sa国际传媒� says Dawn. sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 happier today, wagging his tail, giving us kisses, eating and drinking. He was exhausted, and still cansa国际传媒檛 walk, but hesa国际传媒檚 in better spirits.sa国际传媒�

All the animals that come in are being documented, and Dawn says theysa国际传媒檙e receiving calls about who belongs to who. sa国际传媒淧eople arensa国际传媒檛 in a position to take animals yet, so wesa国际传媒檙e making room until the owners can pick them up.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淭heysa国际传媒檙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 theysa国际传媒檒l have a chance.sa国际传媒�

Any Venables Valley residents who want to know if their pets have been found can call or text Angelsa国际传媒檚 Animal Rescue at (250) 378-5223.