I’ve been following the massive wildfire around Ft. McMurray in Alberta, Canada, during the past week, and posting updates in the PWB threads and a few other groups. Several folks have said I should make it a diary, so here goes. This diary is focused on two things — the amazing stories of pets and the people and the rescuers who’ve helped them, and showing support and solidarity for our Canadian neighbors who are enduring this catastrophe of historic proportions. I’d really like to keep comments on this thread positive (pls hold the primary pie fights!), because I want to tweet this to the #ymmfire hashtag on twitter, which is a wealth of info & read by many people out there in the thick of it. First, though, here are the key places to show support via donations, for those so inclined:
Donate to the Alberta Fires Appeal Red Cross of Canada
And you can text REDCROSS to 30333 to make a $5 donation, or text FIRES to 45678 to make a $10 donation.
For the critters:
There’s a Facebook group dedicated to reuniting the fire pets with their owners: www.facebook.com/…
Here’s some places to donate to those helping with animal care:
And now for some amazing stories of critter rescue (btw, I copied this from my post in today’s Pootie Diary, so excuse the LOL speak :)
Volunteers in the Ft. McMurray area have been going rogue to get the furbabies etc that were left when their humans had to evacuate, sometimes with just minutes notice. Thankfully we’re seeing critters & their peeps get together again:
There are official rescuers, too. This kitty’s house completely burned down, but he was found alive & hiding in an oven! Smart pootie — ovens are insulated :) but … how did he get inside the oven? Oh well, kudos to the firemenz who brought him out!
The Mountie always gets his … kitteh!
Big critters gotta get rescued, too ~
My own personal shout-out to twitter user @BrocolliDog for stepping up to use their GPS expertise to map & coordinate info about lost pets so pet rescuers can find them! They are now mapping pets found and in shelters, have played a big role in getting pets reunited wif their peoples. Kudos!
Gotta show you this little guy, not a pootie or a woozle or a birdie but he’s awfully cute! and a big help, too :)
I could post many, many more … And also kudos & thanks to the humane societies and shelters in Edmonton, Calgary, etc., taking in the pets. They’ve really had to staff up with volunteers etc. to handle the load. Let’s all share our our vibes, light, purrs, woofs & headbonks with our Canadian friends and the animals!
Fank yoo, and have a good Sunday (Happee Mom’s Day, too :)
PS: Another reason I posted this is because I haven’t seen very many offers of help or support coming from the good ol’ US of A. Dunno why and not going to speculate. So I want to give a shout-out to this fellow American who is stepping up to help:
Monday, May 9, 2016 · 2:27:57 AM +00:00
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jan4insight
Hat tip to SuetheRedWA for another place that will take donations:
One way to help is CanadaHelps.org . I gave to the Al Rashid Mosque, since they are hosting many refugees from the fires. Do consider donating money, which allows groups to best target the needs. I haven’t forgotten our fires in Northeast Washington State last year and the Canadian and Australian firefighters that came to help.