12/08/2017 07:45 AM PST

Del Mar Fairgrounds Open for Large Animals; People with Small Pets Welcome at Other Fire Shelters

Residents who have pets and animals and live in areas evacuated because of the Lilac fire are urged to take large animals and livestock to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and small animals to other fire shelters.

Small-pet friendly shelters have been opened at:

  • Palomar College at 1140 W. Mission Road in San Marcos
  • Bostonia Rec Center at 1049 Bostonia St. in El Cajon
  • East Valley Community Center at 2245 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido.

County Animal Services officials said animal owners in evacuation areas should leave with their animals immediately. If people need help rescuing livestock or pets, they can call Animal Services? 24-hour emergency dispatch at (619) 236-2341.

People with large animals should follow these tips as they prepare to evacuate:

  • Map out primary and alternative evacuation routes, and temporary boarding sites or livestock-holding facilities.
  • Horse owners should have a halter and lead line for each horse. Keep them on or near its enclosure gate.
  • Owners of livestock should post emergency contact information in a conspicuous place.
  • Make arrangements to ensure that suitable vehicles, trailers, handlers and drivers are available to transport livestock.
  • Make sure horses and other companion animals have microchip identification and that all animals have some identification.

If large animals cannot be evacuated, determine whether they can be moved to a shelter or remain in an outside enclosure.

Animals Services has emergency tips for pet owners on their Pet Disaster Plan web page.

In general, pet owners should remember to never leave their pets chained outside their homes when they evacuate; be prepared to quickly leave with pets; provide animals with identification if they are not microchipped, and create pet emergency kits with sufficient supplies for each pet.

For the latest emergency updates in English and Spanish, visit www.sdcountyemergency.com, and download the SD Emergency app. If you are affected by the fire and need to talk to someone  by phone about evacuations, shelters, road closures and other non-emergency disaster-related services, call 211. If you are hearing impaired, dial 711 and ask to be connected to (858) 300-1211.  

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