Farm animals from Acton sanctuary Animal Acres are evacuated because of Station fire
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We’re happy to report that most of the farm-animal residents of Animal Acres, the large sanctuary in Acton, have been moved to a safe facility out of the path of the Station fire. Earlier today, we reported that Animal Acres had opted to move the rescued animals that call the sanctuary home -- unlike another Acton sanctuary, Shambala, which houses considerably more-difficult-to-move lions, tigers and other big cats.
A few goats and sheep remain at Animal Acres, but a group of ever-vigilant volunteers are ready to move them at a moment’s notice should the fire turn toward the sanctuary. ‘We do have everybody out who is difficult to move or time-consuming,’ Animal Acres founder Lorri Houston told our colleague My-Thuan Tran at The Times’ local news blog, L.A. Now. From L.A. Now:
[When] flames started threatening the area around [Animal Acres] on Sunday, Houston and a group of volunteers packed up the 11 pigs and dozens of cattle, chickens, donkeys and more. Most of the sanctuary’s 125 animals are resting at their animal evacuation center near Palmdale. ‘It’s not home sweet home, but it will certainly do for a couple days,’ Houston said. ... ‘With the type of animals we have, the number, you can’t just pop into someone’s backyard and say, ‘Can you take care of my dog?’ ‘
According to an e-mail sent by Houston to Animal Acres supporters, the sanctuary’s planned gala, scheduled for Saturday, may be relocated or rescheduled as a result of the fires. But the most important things -- the animals -- are safe!
-- Lindsay Barnett