Colorado fire victims include pets

People who were forced to evacuate their homes because of the 740-acre wildfire west of Loveland, Colo., dropped their animals off at the Larimer Humane Society shelter.

Read the entire story by Kevin Duggan for the Loveland Connection, part of the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

There are six cats and one dog now staying temporarily at the shelter.

The pet owners stayed with friends or at motels while awaiting permission to return home. Although the evacuation order was lifted Wednesday, only two cats and a dog in protective custody at the shelter were immediately picked up.

Shelter manager Jenny Gaukel said having the extra animals was not a burden on staff members, although some of the pets had special dietary needs. Volunteers gave the animals attention as they waited to be reunited with their families.

Gaukel said the owners have enough to worry about without having to be concerned for the care and feeding of their pets.

It's another opportunity to remind everyone that you should not only have a disaster plan for you and your family, but also for your pets.

Here's a recent blog entry on preparing for hurricane season.