ESCONDIDO HUMANE SOCIETY NEWS UPDATE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Leslie Anne Mogul:
760-746-1927
Lindsey Mesenbourg:
Cell phone 619-987-4212
INJURED,
RESCUED PETS REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES;
PROFESSIONAL
MEDICAL AND VET COMMUNITY OFFER ASSISTANCE;
INVESTIGATION INTO FIRE’S CAUSE CONTINUES
Escondido, CA, January 24, 2001…“All the injured animals continue to do very well in their recovery, we’ve consulted with a pulmonary specialist, the UCSD Burn Center and other specialty medical centers. Medical and veterinary specialists and caregivers from around the nation have called and written letters providing medical advice and their sympathy for our injured and traumatized animals,” said Gary Gallerstein, DVM, veterinarian for Acacia Animal Hospital in Escondido, Ca. Acacia initially received 37 of the most critically injured animals during the devastating fire that destroyed the Escondido Humane Society’s facilities Saturday evening, January 21.
The Escondido Fire and Police Department and the Treasury’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms Department continue the probe into the fire’s cause.
Twenty local independent veterinarians have offered any help they could provide including medical care for rescued animals and boarding services. Good news for Acacia’s caregivers who are totally committed to the care of these injured animals, but stressed from the non-stop care they’ve been providing since late Saturday evening, when the injured began arriving at Acacia. Seventeen injured animals remain in the hospital.
On a happy note, Flame, the last dog who came out of the fire, is doing great. And Blaze, the first puppy to be rescued goes home today with his new family.
Otis also went home today with a voucher promising to be neutered. He was originally adopted last week, but the adoption was put on hold just waiting to be neutered. He was reunited with his adopting family.
Smoky, the most severely injured dog, was reunited with his family. He was brought into the humane society’s lost and found as a stray animal. After visiting every shelter in San Diego County, his family did some detective work and found him at Acacia. After being doubly traumatized, we hope this reunion will speed Smoky’s recovery.
According to Terri Rodgers, the humane society’s development coordinator, “Check donations from every state in the nation, Canada and Puerto Rico have been coming in to help with the care of the injured and rescued animals, the creation of temporary operations, and to rebuild the facility. Dozens of companies have requested linking with our website to conduct fundraising activities on behalf of the shelter.”
A Memorial Service, open to the community, will take place at 10 am this Friday, January 26 at Escondido’s Kit Carson Park Amphitheater, located off Bear Valley Parkway. In case of rain, the service will be held in the L.R. Green School auditorium, which is located on the grounds of Kit Carson Park. Gates will open at 9:30 am.
Grief counseling will be provided for anyone that is interested, on Saturday from 10 am-12 noon, at The Wellness Center, 425 N. Date Street, Escondido.
The society is accepting donations by mail. Please make checks payable to Escondido Humane Society, and mail to P.O. Box 460249, Escondido, CA 92046.
For up to date information, please visit our website at www.escondidohumanesociety.com or call 760-745-4362.
The Escondido Humane Society is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership by teaching compassion, respect and caring treatment for all living creatures. The society advocates eliminating animal abuse, pet overpopulation and homelessness among companion animals, and finds new homes for surrendered, stray and abandoned animals. A not-for-profit organization, the society has offered a wide variety of pet-related services in addition to providing animals for adoption for more than 35 years.
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