Greenhill urges Lane County pet owners to prepare for fire evacuations

Greenhill Humane Society is pressing Lane County pet owners to pack for a wildfire evacuation now, while there is still time to think through the details that slow families down when the alert comes. The organization is urging residents to prepare for dogs, cats and livestock, with at least three days of pet food, three days of medication and three days of water ready to grab, along with a carrier or crate and enough gas in the vehicle to reach safety.

That advice fits a county where wildfire response can turn quickly from preparation to action. Lane County says local emergency officials have the authority to issue evacuation notices when there is a potential or immediate threat, and county wildfire guidance tells residents to have a plan for pets and livestock. Lane County Animal Services adds that people need to build a plan for their animals and practice it before disaster strikes.

Greenhill’s guidance also emphasizes identification. Lane County Animal Services recommends multiple forms of ID, including a collar and license, a microchip, a tattoo, ear tags, brands or clear identification on a cage or housing. If a pet is home and fire threatens while an owner is away, the advice is to contact the fire department or a trusted neighbor or friend who can help get the animal out. Greenhill also says lost and found pets should be reported to the shelter, and animals still inside an evacuation zone may need feeding and rescue help through Lane County Animal Services.

The organization has already handled that kind of emergency. During the September 2022 Cedar Creek Fire evacuation, Greenhill set up a temporary animal shelter at the Lane County Fairgrounds that stayed open 24 hours a day and logged more than 500 staff and volunteer hours. Greenhill says it sheltered more than 140 pets during that evacuation and also helped with pets from the Bedrock and Lookout fires. It says updates on emergency animal care are posted in real time, with possible shelter sites including the Lane Events Center.

Greenhill, which says it has cared for animals in Lane County since 1944, operates the only life-saving animal shelter in the Eugene-Springfield area. It is also working with Lane County Animal Services on livestock rescue and animal-preparedness training, a reminder that wildfire planning in Lane County has to cover more than dogs and cats before the first urgent alert arrives.