One week after the Eaton fire, a brown and white tabby arrived at the shelter with badly burned paws and symptoms of smoke inhalation and dehydration.

As we do with all stray and lost animals, our team checked the injured cat for a microchip. A positive result appeared on the scanner. This cat was someone’s pet. And his name was Carrot Cake.

We quickly called the tabby’s owner, and they rushed to Pasadena Humane. The story we heard was one of absolute heartbreak.

Carrot Cake’s family had lost everything in the fire. Their home had burned down, along with their entire block and neighborhood. The cat, described as an excellent escape artist by his owner, had been found by a firefighter in a tree near where the house once stood.

He was rushed to Pasadena Humane, where he was soon reunited with his overjoyed family.Carrot Cake’s story shows how even a single preparedness step, like a microchip, can reunite families after an unthinkable loss.

June is Pet Preparedness Month, and here at Pasadena Humane, we are more committed than ever to helping pet owners in our community make plans for their animals in the event of an emergency.

When the Eaton fire tore through our region, many people had just moments to flee. The fire moved with unprecedented speed, fueled by 100 mph winds. For some, evacuation orders arrived late or not at all.

Others weren’t home and couldn’t return. In many cases, people had only seconds to leave, some unable to find pets who were frightened and hiding.

Taking steps now could make a huge difference for your pet. Up-to-date identification, whether an ID tag, microchip, or both, is the best way to ensure lost pets make it home.

This is true both at the shelter and in the field. Our animal control officers carry microchip scanners and work to return pets home without ever bringing them to the shelter.

Pet emergency window stickers are another helpful tool. These decals let first responders know how many pets you have and which species live in the home. During the Eaton fire, these stickers helped our teams quickly identify animals needing rescue.

We also encourage every pet owner to pack a “go bag” with emergency supplies. Include food, water, medications, a leash or carrier, vaccination records, and a recent photo in case your pet gets lost.

It’s equally important to have a plan for where you’ll take your pets during an emergency. Research pet-friendly hotels, identify friends or family who can help, and know which local shelters accept pets. If your pet goes missing, act quickly. Use sites like Nextdoor, Pawboost, and your local shelter’s lost and found page to help reunite.

Another small but powerful tip is getting to know your neighbors. During the Eaton fire, we saw how strong communities save lives. In several cases, neighbors who knew pets were left behind stepped in to bring them to us. That one act of kindness often made all the difference.

From June 16 to June 22, Pasadena Humane is hosting Pet Preparedness Week, offering free services and educational opportunities to help pet parents be ready for the next emergency.

We’ll be providing free, appointment-based microchip clinics all week, along with complimentary designer license tags for residents in our animal control and licensing service areas.

Visitors to our Shelter Shop can also pick up a free pet emergency sticker. And on June 21, join us for a free disaster preparedness workshop to learn how to create a personalized emergency plan for your pets.To learn more, visit pasadenahumane.org/petsafety.