Haven Humane opens disaster response center built with Zogg Fire funds
The animal welfare organization opened a new disaster response and humane education center today next to its existing facilities in Anderson. The center was built with funds from the Zogg Fire that were designated for animal care in honor of Karen King.
“Today is more than just about opening a building, it’s about strengthening our ability to serve the community when the need is greatest, being prepared for the unexpected, and making sure that when disaster strikes, no animal or family in the community is left behind,” Haven Humane CEO Jim Lewis said today.
“We just want to be ready for any disaster that does happen,” he said.
Lewis spoke as the Shasta County Haven Humane Society opened its new Disaster Response and Humane Education Center. The center was built using funds from the Zogg Fire received by the county through a settlement with PG&E. It’s next to existing Haven Humane buildings at the organization’s 7449 Eastside Road location in Anderson.
According to the California Public Utilities Commission, the Zogg Fire was caused when a tree fell on energized conductors owned and operated by the power company in Shasta. The fire burned more than 55,000 acres and destroyed more than 200 structures. It also killed four people.
Under PG&E’s settlement terms, the power company was required to pay $50 million to Shasta County. Of those funds, $45 million were allocated to support fire departments, law enforcement and nonprofit organizations involved in rebuilding efforts and assistance, including the more than $2.5 million designated for Haven Humane. Another $5 million was paid directly to Shasta County as a penalty, according to a press release from PG&E at the time.
The new center features dog kennels, a cat room, and a general meeting space. It’s designed to serve as a dedicated space to hold up to 200 animals during evacuations caused by natural disasters, Lewis said.
A disaster relief grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA provided additional support for supplies. No Shasta County general fund money was used to construct the building, Lewis said. Haven Humane is a nonprofit organization that contracts with the county to provide animal welfare services.
As Lewis noted during the event, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett made the designation of Zogg Fire funds to Haven Humane in honor of Karen King, who was one of the victims of the fire along with Fela McLeod, Alaina McLeod, and Kenneth Vosen.
“[King’s] surviving family members wanted some of the settlement to go in her honor to Haven Humane,” Bridgett said during the event, “and that’s how $200,000 for a spay and neuter program was donated, as well as $2.5 million dollars to help build this building to make it a reality that her memory could live on and do something for what she loved.”
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Haven is just that. A place where lost, abandoned, and abused animals are cared for in their time of need. When the Camp and Zogg, fires burned and our citizens had to find shelter for themselves, many places would not take their pets, so those who would not leave them behind slept in their cars or tents or other makeshift shelters instead of a place with a bed and toilets and running water. Haven was there. They and their staff and volunteers where there to provide shelter, food and safety to any animal in need. Our citizens did not have to make that choice to leave a furry family member behind because Haven was there. It wasn’t pretty, it was crowded and crazy and exhausting, but Haven was there. This building is needed for the next disaster, because as much as we want to think it can’t happen it’s good to be prepared.
Congratulations to all! This might not seem that vital at first but consider how dry it is, although temperatures are dropping. The Camp fire happened in similar Fall conditions. When we face the next disaster (and we will), this facility will be used by many. BTW You might recall that Supervisors Crye and Jones attacked DA Bridgett over this issue. They claimed she was wasting settlement money to favor her own special interests. They demanded that the Secretary of State investigate Bridgett. She was cleared but Crye and Jones never apologized for their cheap shot against her.
It’s nice to see this legacy for Karen King. She was a dedicated animal rescuer.
Haven Humane is an organization doing good work. I can’t go in their facility because I would want to take all of them home with me. They deserve whatever support we can give them.
Selah
This is wonderful – I’m so glad that Haven has this facility for the animals.