Pets 'the only thing they have left': B.C. animal owners flee wildfires

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As more evacuees take refuge in Kamloops, B.C., volunteers are scrambling to find food and shelter not only for the families but also their pets.

The dog they bring here in their arms is the only thing they have left.

Four Paws Food Bank coordinator Bonnie McBride says there are about 60 volunteers trying to run a full emergency service centre.

"We're averaging about 500 bags of food and litter a day. We're not missing a single evacuee or their pets."

McBride and her crew sit with pets barred from entering the evacuation centre.

"We have had upwards to 35 animals each day since Friday."

• CBC News: 11 emergency centres across B.C. scramble to help 36,600 wildfire evacuees

With temperatures averaging 35 C each day, McBride says volunteers have set up pools for pets and tucked frozen bottles into dog crates to keep the animals cool.

Volunteers have helped woodpeckers, goats, sheep, and lots of dogs, says McBride.

Karen Warren, one of the many animal owners in B.C., scrambled to get out when evacuation orders came down.

"It's bad. I hate it. I totally hate it," sobs Warren, missing her home.

"I grabbed the dogs, their food, their treats and that was it."

For many evacuees, hanging onto these pets "is really hanging onto their sanity," says McBride.

"The dog they bring here in their arms is the only thing they have left."

This segment was produced by The Current's Cathy Simon.