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Wildfire season is upon us so today we’re revisiting this Dear Dot from the archives. Dot’s friend Lisa, who lived through the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires in early 2025, gives great advice on how to prepare to evacuate when you have pets.
I’ve been reading about all the wildfires and been thinking of people evacuating with pets. I have a German Shepherd named Remy. I’ve never experienced an evacuation but want to be prepared. What’s your advice?
– Mikki
Dear Mikki,
At one stage in Dot’s life, there were eight animals living under our roof — three dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and a guinea pig. Our household is now down to a much more manageable five (two dogs, three cats). But how manageable would that number of animals be if we had to suddenly pack up and evacuate our home? That, Mikki, is a darn good question, so thank you for it.
Dot is fortunate to have never had to evacuate — with or without pets. (The closest I came was a dryer fire in my student rental when I was 21. I handed my terrified cat to a non-English speaking neighbor, hoping they didn’t think Chauncey was a forever gift, then dealt with the arriving firefighters.) So I was keen to speak with a pet owner who’s dealt with evacuation. I reached out to my LA-based friend, Lisa, who told me that in January, with the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires consuming parts of the city she loves, she avoided evacuation warnings by two blocks. Instead, she and her pup Bandit welcomed evacuees who’d had to flee, including one friend who arrived with Henry, her boxer. Bandit was reportedly less than impressed with this guest. But Lisa has given plenty of thought to her own pet evacuation prep.
What has Lisa learned? Keep reading.
