BY VICTOR A. PATTON

CV Journalism Collaborative

The Merced SPCA has stepped up to help more than a dozen cats who were recently displaced by the outbreak of wildfires in Southern California.

Cindy Kelly, president of the Merced SPCA, told The Merced FOCUS her organization is partnering with Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control to care for a total of 17 cats from Southern California.

Some of those cats had been found wandering amid the destruction caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Others were surrendered to animal control by homeowners impacted by the fires.

A caravan of cars traveled from Merced to Los Angeles and back Saturday to pick up the displaced felines. Kelly said foster homes have already been found for the animals.

“We had an outpouring of support from people who wanted to step up and foster these cats,” Kelly said. “We are in a great position to care for these cats … and get them off to their furever homes.”

Kelly said the 17 cats will be held for a six-week period, which will allow their owners time to find them. If those owners go to Los Angeles County animal control to reclaim their pets, a reunification plan will be worked out.

If the cats are unclaimed during the six weeks, they will be available for adoption into caring homes through Merced SPCA or handed off to the organization’s Bay Area partners for adoption.

The Los Angeles Times reported that a total of 27 people have been killed in the fires as of Friday: 17 in the Eaton fire and 10 in the Palisades fire. 

Thousands of homes have been destroyed. The Palisades Fire was 43% contained as of Saturday and has burned 23,713 acres. The Eaton Fire is 73% contained and has burned 14,117 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters from the Merced County area are among the statewide agencies currently in Southern California to fight the wildfires.