Dogs from LA

• We have not taken any pets from the LA area to date. We have been contacted and are working with local and national agencies to coordinate rescue efforts and expect to receive and/or transport animals in the coming weeks.
• We want to help in this crisis to the extent that we’re able. Just as we assisted multiple shelters impacted by Hurricane Helene by taking 150 animals and orchestrating five transports to nearly a dozen other shelters across the country, we are planning to assist in the same manner to help our partners on the West Coast.
• These are not animals who potentially have been separated from their families but instead already have been in shelters for an extended period of time. That space can then be used for pets displaced in Los Angeles or that need temporary housing.

Need for foster families

• Assisting with transport and placement of animals displaced by the LA fires is a small but meaningful effort. It provides a timely opportunity to issue a plea for more fosters in anticipation of these animals – but also because building out our foster network is part of our regular efforts to increase our capacity for animals in need.
• We always need foster support and adoptions to clear space in the shelter.
• Anyone interested in fostering can visit young-williams.org/foster to apply. All necessary pet supplies will be provided, and there is no financial cost to foster families, just a time commitment. Fostering also provides important socialization for pets and takes them out of the stress of a shelter.

Local support

• We collaborate with shelters and rescue organizations regionally, statewide and nationwide on best practices and innovative solutions to continue to ensure we individually and collectively are realizing the best outcomes for animals in our care.
• This includes Sevier County, and we understand the critical situation at Sevier Animal Care Center.
• Young-Williams has taken in and rotated animals from regional organizations in the past, but unfortunately, we cannot transfer extra animals from these shelters at any given time there’s an immediate need.
• Our shelter also is over space capacity, as are most shelters across the country, and we utilize foster families as a life-saving solution.
• Please know that we continue to share the practices that have helped Young-Williams achieve and maintain no-kill status and advocate for them with our sister shelters.

In these challenging times, Young-Williams Animal Center has depended on and been most proud of our pet-loving community. Our combined efforts ultimately provide a safe haven for animals, and for that, we are always grateful and say thank you.