Submitted by Fox First at Ten on August 15th
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Somewhat forgotten in all the evacuations in the Taylor Bridge Fire are the animals that are also displaced and are still streaming into local shelters and clinics. With the Taylor Bridge Fire growing out of control so fast, families had little time to get not only themselves to safety but also their pets.
In nearby Ellensburg the animal hospital and shelter are at capacity and employees are expecting even more animals to be dropped off at their doors.
Dr. Samantha Howard with the Ellensburg Animal Hospital told KHQ Tuesday night that by 6:00PM Monday, almost 60 dogs were picked up and dropped off at the Ellensburg Animal Hospital. In some cases, owners were unable get livestock loaded into trailers and were forced to just open gates and hope they made it to safety.
Acting as a makeshift shelter, the Kittitas County Fairgrounds right now is the home to hundreds of horses and other livestock with more showing up by the hour.
The biggest concern for shelters and clinics right now is identifying all the animals and reuniting them with their families.
One way they're doing this is by posting pictures and locations where each animal was found on their facebook page.
