Column: Eaton fire anniversary and Pasadena Humane’s lessons learned
(Upper left) Pasadena Humane veterinary technicians tend to Reggie’s burned paws. Bandage changes were a routine part of ICU care during this time. (Lower left) A female bobcat receives treatment for her burns at Pasadena Humane. A specialized care plan was designed to minimize stress for wildlife while prioritizing healing throughout her time in care. (Middle) Canelo recovers in an ICU kennel, closely monitored and resting on a bed of blankets to keep him comfortable. (Right) Fully healed, Canelo is enthusiastically reunited with his owner. (Photos taken in January and February of 2025 / Courtesy of Pasadena Humane)
It’s hard to believe that one year ago, the Eaton fire changed our community forever. Families were displaced, homes were lost, and animals — both domestic and wild — were suddenly thrust into danger. In the days and weeks that followed, Pasadena Humane became a place of refuge for many seeking urgent medical care, shelter, and hope.
Among them were countless stories of resilience, but most notably, I recall several animal’s journeys: Reggie, Canelo, and two wild bobcat neighbors of ours:
Reggie, a senior, black cat, was found by a firefighter working deep within the fire zone. His fur had been burned, his whiskers singed, and it was clear he had narrowly escaped the flames. He was rushed to Pasadena Humane, where he was placed in our ICU and immediately surrounded by our dedicated veterinary team. Reggie required weeks of careful monitoring, treatment, and patience as his body healed. When he was cleared medically, another chapter of his story began. A loving family — ready to embrace all of Reggie and everything he had been through — opened their home to him. His adoption was deemed “love at first sight” by his new family. Today, Reggie is thriving in his home. His ongoing medical needs are thoughtfully managed, and he is deeply loved. He is truly a living reminder that even after unimaginable loss, new beginnings are possible.
Canelo arrived at Pasadena Humane in the thick of the Eaton fire. This young, brown pit bull was found alone in the burn zone, covered in ash and unable to stand. He was suffering from burns across his body, painful injuries to his paw pads, severe dehydration, and a dangerous amount of smoke inhalation.
Our ICU team worked quickly and carefully to stabilize him—treating his wounds, easing his pain, providing fluids and oxygen, and giving him a safe place to rest. As Canelo grew stronger, hope grew as well. In a moment that brought relief and joy to us all, Canelo was miraculously reunited with his family.
We came to find that Canelo bolted as his family fled the fire, but they never stopped searching for him. Their reunion was a powerful reminder of the deep bonds between people and their pets, especially in the face of disaster.
The Eaton fire didn’t just impact pets — it disrupted wildlife struggling to escape the flames. One bobcat was brought to Pasadena Humane after being struck by a car while fleeing, with X-rays revealing a fractured pelvis. Thanks to collaboration with our partners at the California Wildlife Center, the bobcat was transferred to their facility to receive specialized care.
Just one week later, another bobcat arrived — this one suffering from severe burns. With so many animals coming in with similar injuries, our team provided weeks of attentive care, including regular monitoring and bandage changes.
Slowly, she grew stronger. In time, both bobcats healed, regained their strength, and were released safely near where they were found. While we don’t know their exact journeys since then, we can only imagine how they’ve thrived, living freely and strongly in their wild home.
These three anecdotes represent only a small fraction of the lives touched by Pasadena Humane during the Eaton fire. In total, we cared for over 3,000 animals during our response —more than half the number of animals we typically take in over an entire year, all within the first three months of 2025.
As I reflect, it’s clear that this extraordinary effort was made possible through deep collaboration, unwavering passion, and a shared commitment to our mission. We learned that when the communities we serve are in crisis, the very DNA of Pasadena Humane compels us to rise to the occasion. Looking back, I am incredibly proud of the staff and volunteers who worked with those like Reggie, Canelo, the bobcats, and countless others, with utmost dedication.
The Eaton fire has changed us, yes, but it has not changed our guiding principles. The experience forced us to scale up, adapt quickly, and listen closely to our community’s needs.
‘The experience forced us to scale up, adapt quickly, and listen closely to our community’s needs’
As we welcome 2026, I am most excited about building on those lessons and to keep expanding our impact in meaningful ways. We will continue to lead with compassion, while also remaining deeply connected to those we serve — listening, learning and showing up however we are needed.
It remains a profound privilege to stand beside our community, in times of crisis and calm, and to help animals heal, return home, and begin again.
Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.
This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on January 9, 2026.
