PASADENA, California: Animal facilities, veterinarians, and rescue organizations have taken in and assisted dogs, horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, and other creatures displaced by the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, along with their human owners.

The Humane Society started taking in animals as a temporary shelter for families evacuating their homes. But as the disaster worsened, leaving 25 people dead, burning 39,000 acres (157.83 square kilometers), and forcing 153,000 people to evacuate, the situation changed.

A pitbull mix named Canela was brought to Pasadena Humane covered in ash, with burned paw pads and smoke-filled lungs. A kind stranger found the dog in rubble in Altadena, wrapped him in a blanket, and took him to the shelter. Too weak to walk, Canela was reunited with his owner after CNN shared the story. He is still receiving medical care and is one of over 400 animals taken in by the shelter since the Southern California wildfires began last Tuesday.

Some animals suffered severe injuries, like a Husky with burned paws and singed fur. Dr. Maria Pyrdek, the shelter's chief veterinarian, said the Husky was exhausted when he arrived but is slowly recovering. Sadly, no one has come to claim him.

Pasadena Humane is now focused on rescue and recovery efforts in burned areas. They are responding to calls to help injured animals, including eight peacocks. In one case, a man in Altadena asked for help bringing water to cows, sheep, and a bull after a fire destroyed a bridge.

The community has donated generously, filling five U-Haul trucks with supplies, said shelter CEO Dia DuVernet.

In nearby Burbank, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center has housed about 400 animals, primarily horses but also a few donkeys. Evacuated owners brought in some animals, while others were found loose by law enforcement. The area hit by the Eaton fire is home to many horse lovers, and the new environment left some horses stressed.

Dozens of volunteers helped care for the animals, provide food and water, and clean the grounds. Donations of apples, carrots, pizza, and sandwiches filled the center while smoke from nearby fires remained visible.

At one point, all the center's stalls were full, but spaces opened as evacuation orders were lifted and owners reclaimed their animals.

Karrie Saydah, who evacuated with her two horses and two donkeys early in the morning on January 8, expressed her gratitude to the staff and volunteers. After finding temporary shelter for her animals at the equestrian center, she said they would likely miss the abundance of treats they had enjoyed during their stay.