A GoFundMe organized by People for Animal Welfare (PAW) at Stanford raised over $1,700 to support animals affected by the Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena, Calif.
The Eaton fire was California’s fifth deadliest fire in its history, killing 17 people and damaging at least 9,400 structures. Many Pasadena residents were forced to leave behind pets when evacuating. Shelters like Pasadena Humane took in over 1,000 of those animals, along with injured strays and wildlife such as peacocks. As a result, shelters became overcrowded.
Stanford PAW’s efforts to support Pasadena Humane began when Alana Belle M. Tirado ’27, a writer for The Daily, approached PAW co-presidents Sofia Ceva ’25 and Katelyn Santa Maria ’26. Tirado wanted to help the animals affected by the wildfires in LA and ensure that the pets and wildlife were not left behind during relief efforts.
“We shouldn’t just forget about the animals and focus only on helping people but make sure we include both in our efforts,” Tirado said.
Ceva and Santa Maria, both from the LA area, resonated with the idea. “By helping animals, you’re helping a lot of people,” Ceva said.
PAW decided to start a GoFundMe that would directly support the shelter’s needs, for Pasadena Humane initially received many donations of supplies but lacked the monetary donations necessary for specific medications and food for the animals.
The club shared the fundraiser in Slack channels and on social media, distributing it to faculty, students and parents alike. It was wildly successful.
PAW raised $1,000 in just four days. Then, the fundraiser reached its original target of $1,500. The goal has since been raised to $2,500.
“Over a thousand dollars in a week is kind of insane, so we’re very excited about it,” Santa Maria said.
The shelter’s needs have continued to increase. According to Kevin McManus, the public relations and communications director for Pasadena Humane, it was overwhelming to take in all of the animals. The shelter’s intake has continued to rise, even though the Eaton fire is 99% contained.
The growing shelter intake has been driven by evacuees returning to the Pasadena area with their pets. Since many have lost their homes, they must find temporary housing solutions, which means staying in rental apartments or homes. Many of these temporary homes do not allow pets, forcing people to leave pets with shelters or humane societies.
“We’re going to be caring for some of these dogs and cats and other pets for months, if not longer,” McManus said. “We might have 200 dogs with us for a year while their families get back on their feet.”
Pasadena Humane sent its adoptable animals, who were present at the shelter before the fires began, to other shelters throughout the state. Humane societies across California, such as Marin Humane, located about 50 miles north of Stanford, have also supported each other by sending volunteers to aid shelters affected by the wildfires.
McManus said Pasadena Humane appreciated the support from people all over, including Stanford PAW, in their relief efforts. “We have such a duty to our community and to take care of the animals in our community, and it’s so nice to know that that resonates with people throughout the whole country,” he said.
To raise more funds in the future, PAW plans to establish a partnership with FLiCKS, a campus tradition of Sunday movie showings, in the near future, where proceeds from the event would go toward Pasadena Humane’s relief efforts.
In a statement to The Daily, FLiCKS organizer Daniel Rashes wrote that the FLiCKS team was “excited to hear from Stanford PAW” and to support their cause. They plan to promote PAW’s efforts to support the animals in L.A. at their next screening.
PAW will also host a fundraiser in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. The club will be selling flowers and plushies, both in White Plaza and online, with half of the proceeds going to Pasadena Humane and the other half going to another animal welfare nonprofit.
While Tirado isn’t from California, that didn’t stop her from aiding wildfire relief efforts.
“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t help, even [if we’re] from another state,” Tirado said.
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