By Kate Walters, American Red Cross

A knock on the door in the middle of the night is something no homeowner wants to hear.

For Merry and Joe Pendergrass, it was the sheriff, urging them to evacuate as the Aspen Acres Fire threatened their community.

The couple's next thought wasn't about clothes or keepsakes; it was about their five dogs and three cats.

"When the sheriff knocked on our door," Joe recalled, "he told us there was a shelter for the people at Pathfinder, and there was also a shelter for all the animals."

That reassurance made all the difference.

It's one of the biggest concerns emergency managers encounter during every wildfire evacuation. Many people hesitate to follow evacuation orders because they don't know how to manage their pets.

Just steps away from the American Red Cross shelter at Pathfinder Park Event Center in Florence, Colo., a co-located pet shelter helps remove that uncertainty.

Operated by the Community Animal Response Team with support from local volunteers, the shelter cares for companion animals, livestock and other evacuated animals.

Pet owners remain actively involved, visiting throughout the day to feed, walk and spend time with their animals while volunteers provide a safe environment and extra support. The shelter is also stocked with all the essential pet supplies, including bowls, leashes, food and treats, ensuring animals have everything they need during their stay.

"Our goal is to remove one more reason someone might hesitate to evacuate," said Thea Wasche, American Red Cross regional pet lead. "When people know their pets will be safe, cared for and just a short walk away, they can focus on protecting themselves and their families instead of facing an impossible choice."

For Coal Creek resident Kat Rods, knowing that shelter existed changed everything.

"I wasn't going to leave," Kat admitted. "I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with my animals."

Like many pet owners, Kat considers her animals family. Her children are grown and live out of state. At home, she shares her life with 16-year-old Chihuahua Layla and a cat named Sweet Pea, affectionately known as "Kitty."

"My animals are my life," she said.

Now, instead of worrying about their safety, she visits them several times each day.

"The pet care volunteers are doing an amazing job," Kat said. "They're working 24/7, they never stop." 

One of Kat's biggest concerns was how Kitty would handle the experience. The cat had never spent a night away from home in 10 years.

"I thought being in a kennel with all the other cats and dogs would be overwhelming," she said. "But she's doing really well. She's not meowing, she's not hissing, she's not freaking out."

Like Kat, Merry and Joe spend time with their pets every day, walking the dogs and checking on all eight animals.

"I can definitely vouch for the animal shelter," Joe said. "If people are wondering what it's like, I can tell them they're doing a terrific job. All the animals were calm when we walked in"

The Aspen Acres Fire reinforces an important preparedness lesson. One of the biggest barriers to evacuation is uncertainty about how evacuees will manage their beloved pets. Co-located pet shelters remove that barrier by allowing people to remain close to their animals while knowing they are safe and well cared for.

"If you have to evacuate," Kat said, "bring your cats, your dogs, your horses, your livestock. Bring them here. They're doing an amazing job."

For Kat, knowing her pets are safe just a short walk away makes all the difference. Instead of staying behind, she was able to evacuate with confidence while waiting for word about her home.