Livestock, Pets Evacuated From Highland Fire Taken In At New San Jacinto Animal Campus

SAN JACINTO, CA — The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus welcomed pets and livestock evacuated from their homes due to the Highland Fire.

The blaze, named the Highland Fire, has burned over 2,200 acres near Aguanga, destroying property and leaving many evacuated from their residences Tuesday. If you don't know where to take your animals while you are away from your home and property, there is room at the new San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, located at 581 S. Grand Avenue, San Jacinto.

The campus is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will take in evacuated animals, large and small, due to the Aguanga fire, according to spokesperson Kerri Mabee.

"No reservations or advanced planning is required," she told Patch. "Our doors are open."

As of Tuesday morning, the new San Jacinto facility has taken in sheep, chickens, goats, turkeys, and pigs, evacuated from the Highland Fire, according to Mabee. They have space for large animals, including horses, she said.

"If any evacuees find themselves unable to keep their animals while evacuated, just bring them to the shelter," she told Patch. "There is no need to call ahead or make an appointment.

"If there are special needs for the animal, such as diet or medications, we will make accommodations, " she said. A written list of medicines, if possible, is helpful.

Meanwhile, the campus kennels are filled with 168 dogs, 69 cats, and three sheep brought through the city.

The shelter is smaller than the Jurupa Valley campus, but there is plenty of room, according to Mabee.

Meanwhile, they remain open for business with pet licensing and adoptions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The campus is closed on Sundays.

The grand opening of the facility is slated for Friday morning. The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus call center line is open for questions at 951-358-7387.

For more information on caring for animals in emergencies, visit rcdas.org/disaster.