At a time when simple human kindness sometimes seems hard to come by, Rescue Ranch is happy to report that we can still look to each other for support in times of crisis. There are always people out there who are ready to lend a hand to strangers, even beyond their own community.
Nothing illustrates this point better than communities coming together to help. We want to thank the wonderful groups and individuals from Redding, Anderson, Rio Vista, and San Francisco,who came together to help Yreka animals during the recent Lava Fire.
They heard there was a need here in Yreka, and they showed up. Their support was as unexpected as it was welcome.
Generous delivery from Redding leads to successful fire puppy foster
Rachel Prado is a former Medical Assistant who lives in Redding where she and her husband now run their own company, Misfit Plumbing. When she heard that the dogs and cats of Yreka needed support, Rachel reached out to her community through social media and the Nextdoor app.
The response from friends, neighbors, and strangers, was swift. Some donated directly to the ranch, while others gathered supplies for transport. Rachel’s friend Sherry Laird, an RN at Mercy Medical, collected funds for a Costco run with the assistance of her colleagues. People just wanted to help. By Thursday, July 1, Rachel and her son, Jackson, were on their way in a vehicle packed to the hilt with dog and cat food, tarps, leashes, stainless steel bowls, treats, and more. They were delayed for two hours due to road closures caused by the Salt Fire that was burning north of Redding, but they eventually got through and were able to make their deliveries to Rescue Ranch and the cat evacuation center in Yreka.
Over a pizza lunch, ranch staff learned that Rachel has a dog of her own named Shasta, and that she is an experienced puppy foster. As luck would have it, early that afternoon, three black, female, border collie-Lab puppies were brought in from the fire zone. They were roughly eight weeks old, hot and dehydrated. One little girl was having difficulty opening her left eye. They needed a foster home and Rachel was the obvious choice, but she had already left the ranch. What staff didn’t know was that she and Jackson were still at the Mount Shasta Skatepark not too far away. So, when she got the call, they were able to turn around and go pick up their young charges right away.
The puppy with the ulcerated eye was treated by Rachel’s vet and has since completely recovered. All of the siblings are thriving in their foster mom’s care, and all three now have prospective adopters. Thanks so much, Rachel!
Truckload of love from Anderson for evacuated Yreka animals of all sizes
When Jessica Davison learned that animals needed help to make it through the Lava Fire, she decided to help. She knew the people of Shasta County would be eager to help,“the innocent victims who are helpless.” The are only too aware of the heartbreak that fire season can bring. So, she contacted her friend Angie Hawkins, a dedicated volunteer with the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other organizations.
Angie is always ready to help people and animals in a crisis. She even stores emergency supplies, just in case someone needs them. According to Angie, her employers, CRBR Property Damage Services in Anderson, have been incredibly supportive. She even used their truck to transport most of the donations she, Jessica, and several wonderful volunteers, drove to Yreka.
Angie and Jessica put the word out on social media. They needed supplies for large and small Lava Fire animals. Donations rapidly came in from Redding, Weaverville, Red Bluff, and Shingletown. Jones Feed helped out by supplementing purchases with donated items.
According to Jessica, their transport delivered chicken scratch, goat feed, and pig feed, as well as over 200lbs of cat food, 3 cases of wet cat food, kitten formula, and rabbit feed. Rescue Ranch was their last stop. They brought 1000 lbs of dog food, as well as puppy food, dog treats, linens, and more. They not only finished emptying out the truck at the ranch, they also came with a car stacked to the roof with dog supplies.
Angie told me that, as they were driving up to Yreka, they met up with a small group of people on the roadside who had brought supplies. Among them, were survivors of the 2020 Zogg Fire who, having suffered an unimaginable loss last year, wanted to help. We are deeply moved by Angie, Jessica, their fellow transporters and their extended community’s generosity.
Rio Vista flies into Yerka hearts with provisions for fire pets
Sue Clark is an amazing animal lover who, eight years ago, founded RV 2 the Rescue, a registered nonprofit dedicated to improving the “lives, not only of the rescued animals but the compassionate, loving families that adopt them.”
Sur has a team of 25 to 30 active volunteers, supporters and a network of 40 volunteer pilots. Her organization acts as a transport link between high-kill and non-high kill, or no-kill organizations like Rescue Ranch, as well as adopters. They also transport supplies when the situation calls for it.
Hearing about the Lava Fire, Sue let it be known that Yreka cats and dogs needed their help. In her own words, the “citizens were very supportive.” According to Sue, there is a strong volunteer spirit among the many retirees who live at Trilogy Rio Vista, as well as within the wider Rio Vista community. RV 2 the Rescue was able to quickly obtain in-kind donations by appealing to their network of supporters and through social media. Other donors gave directly to the ranch.
On July 10, volunteer pilots Bill Stigle and Clarissa Spears packed their small plane all the supplies it would hold. They then flew to Montague Airport, where Rescue Ranch staff were waiting to greet them.
They received the provisions for delivery to the cat evacuation center as well as the ranch. Donations included dog and cat food, leashes, toys, and even an elevated dog bed.
RV 2 the Rescue flew into our hearts and brought much-needed relief to the fire cats and dogs of Yreka. We are so grateful to Sue Clark and her team.
Emergency medical supplies for Yreka burn dogs roll up from San Francisco
San Francisco SPCA kindly donated and arranged for the transport of supplies to Yreka on Monday, July 12. SPCA Registered Vet Tech Amanda Morgan, volunteered to drive the precious cargo all the way to Siskiyou County Animal Control. ACO Stephanie Hoffman then brought the dog provisions to Rescue Ranch.
In addition to gloves, food, toys, treats, collars, and leashes, she brought critical medical supplies for the burn dogs being treated at the ranch. Although the cat evacuation shelter was very busy at the height of the crisis, it has since closed. All of the cat-related items were safely stored by Animal Control for the next emergency. Donations also included much-needed field supplies for the ACOs. Go SF SPCA!
Bute Humane’s collaborative spirit results in a vanload of food from Chico
Randy Ruvacava of Bute Humane heard that Rescue Ranch needed help, so he filled up the van with loads of dog food and drove to Yreka. Were so grateful to Butte Humane for their assistance. Founded in 1911, is one of the oldest nonprofits in Butte County. We appreciate and share its philosophy of mutual support and cooperation towards a common goal. Thanks Butte Humane!
