Dozens of animals evacuated away from Goose Fire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of pets and farm animals are being housed at two shelters in the foothills while firefighters try to gain the edge on a wildfire in Fresno County.

The animals range from chinchillas to horses and Olivia the pig was cooling off with a view of smoke plumes in the distance. The 450 pounder had nowhere to go when her family was evacuated Sunday evening.

For now, she is staying at the Sierra High shelter along with 23 sheep, 10 horses and two Holstein calves.

We had a lot fewer animals than I Expected Saturday evening due to the generosity of the community and the property owners a little bit further down the road that had room for horses," Sierra High farm manager Dave Edinborough said. Because I know there was over close to 50 head of horses that had to get evacuated."

Several miles away at Foothill Elementary School, Dina Hance is making the best of evacuation orders by playing with her three labradoodle's and letting them run around and swim in a small manmade pool.

"Obviously, home is more comforting for them and they are a little stressed but they've got the ideal situation in there," They are kept out of the heat, they are taken care of, they are doing really well.

The situation is a good one, considering the circumstances. Volunteers from the Central California Animal Disaster Team are tending to several air-conditioned rooms filled with kennels and all sorts of pets.

"We started out with five cats and six dogs and it has grown to what you see now," Sandra Bailey with the rescue team said.

The dogs are walked every few hours and cages are cleaned often and replenished with fresh food and water as needed.

Owners are free to visit whenever they like.

Many evacuees have taken their smaller pets with them to the homes of friends and family members as firefighters continue to work to save their property.