Pets and livestock evacuations from NC wildfires prompt volunteer efforts
As wildfires continue to start and spread in western North Carolina some volunteers have been organizing to get pets and livestock out of the way of smoke and flame.
Thursday morning, March 27, Eddie Rutledge of Gatlinburg sent out a plea for help on Facebook, asking anyone who could pull a cattle or horse trailer to bring it to the area where fires threaten. Thursday night, Rutledge updated the post to say evacuations were caught up for the moment, but said he and others would be standing by.
As of Friday afternoon, March 28, fires were burning across more than 7,000 acres in several counties in the western part of the state, including three fires in Polk County. One of those, the Black Cove Fire complex, has become the top-priority fire in the country, allowing for additional firefighters and equipment to be brought in.
Several groups have been asking for volunteers to help collect and foster animals being evacuated from areas where wildfires are burning.
▪ Rutledge said in his post that North Carolina-based Help A Vet Shine has sites accepting all animals, including honey bees.
“They even have someone that will come and move your hives,” Rutledge said
▪ Mountain Strong Sanctuary has accepted small animals, horses and cattle, Rutledge said.
▪ Blue Ridge Humane Society in Hendersonville — an area threatened by fire — said this week it is building a list of potential emergency fosters in case the shelter’s animals have to be evacuated. Those able to offer housing for an animal in need are asked to contact the organization and fill out a form online to indicate what kinds of animals they could foster.
The group also has offered pet supplies, crates and carriers to residents evacuating with animals.
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in Asheville said Thursday on Facebook that wild animals, too, are being affected by the fire. Those that survive may appear in people’s yards or neighborhoods where they aren’t normally seen. The group suggested residents put out water for animals that may be passing through and are dehydrated from their travels and the heat of the fires.
“Many of our most populous animals will be more vulnerable than others, such as bats, turtles, and amphibians — due to current burrowing, restriction to certain areas, or nocturnal tendencies,” the group said. “Keep an eye out for these friends when out and about as they may be disoriented.”
Residents who find an animal in need can call the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge hotline for help at (828) 633-6364, Ext. 1.
This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Pets and livestock evacuations from NC wildfires prompt volunteer efforts."
