CA Wildfire Animal Victims Memorial Ceremony Sunday In Napa

(Napa, Ca) - On Sunday, Dec. 17th, In Defense of Animals and Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch will co-host a “Memorial Ceremony and Blessing for Wildfire Animal Victims” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Silverado Resort + Spa, 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa.

This Memorial is in honor of the animal victims who perished during the deadly fires that ravaged several Bay Area counties, including Napa and Sonoma, according to the organizations. The event is organized by local animal welfare groups, Napa Valley-based Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch and San Rafael-based In Defense of Animals.

“Firefighters, dignitaries, first responders, and animal rescue organizations will share heart-felt stories about domestic and wild animal victims of the fires,” said Jameson Rescue Ranch and In Defense of Animals. “We encourage you to bring photos and mementos of those animals who passed for a communal Blessing officiated by local clergy. During the ceremony, there will be a special time for members of the community to share personal stories. The event is being held at the Silverado Resort + Spa, which was evacuated during the Atlas Fire.”

Board of Supervisors Chair Belia Ramos will speak along with a local Northern California Area Firefighter, and Dr. Claudia Saunders (Napa CART - Napa Community Animal Response Team, instrumental in leading animal search and rescue during the fires), and Shaman Charlie Toledo.

“We were all deeply affected by the Napa and Sonoma Fires and many animals lost their lives during this tragedy. As an animal rescue organization, we wanted to recognize those companion animals and the wildlife who died and remember them as an integral part of our community and family,” said JARR Co-Founder Monica Stevens. “So many of those animals who died are never mentioned and we felt it important to honor their lives.”

During the ceremony, participants will be invited to share stories and process their grief for the wild and domestic animals who lost their lives in the blazes. Participants are encouraged to bring photos and mementos of animals who passed for a communal Blessing officiated by local clergy.

“Our goal is to provide a forum for the community to process their feelings and heal their grief from the incredible losses they suffered as a result of the fires,” said board-certified psychiatrist and In Defense of Animals President, Marilyn Kroplick, M.D. “This ceremony will help us all rise from the ashes of despair, bless those who have passed, and heal the ravaged land we and the animals depend on.”

For more information, visit www.idausa.org

Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Brenda Burke at Brenda@JamesonRescueRanch.org.

For those who wish to donate in lieu of attending the Wildfire Memorial for Animals in Napa on Dec. 17th, please visit: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/JamesonRescueRanch/donate.html.

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Photos Courtesy/Copyright In Defense of Animals