Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Calif. Guard MPs help Paradise pets, volunteers in shelter By  Spc. Amy Carle
                69th Public Affairs Detachment
 CHICO, Calif. - A couple with a cat carrier presses themselves against a hallway wall at the Chico Municipal Airport trying to stay out of the way of busy volunteers. They smile anxiously at each other, gripping the carrier and waiting for the word that they can reclaim their beloved pet. She is one of nearly 1,800 displaced animals housed at shelters in the area outside of Paradise, California, decimated by the Camp Fire. Volunteers lead the couple inside a small office lined with crates, and they start coaxing their reluctant cat into the carrier. Cats tend to struggle in these kinds of disasters, said Norm Rosene, public information officer for the North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG). They can remain highly stressed by the disruption to their routines, so the facility keeps them separated from other animals, and the staff speaks very quietly. "This is what you want to see," Rosene whispers to the volunteers, gesturing as the couple reunites with their pet. To aid in response and relief efforts for the Camp Fire, the airport has been converted to a temporary animal shelter, caring for displaced animals and providing donations to pet owners in need. Outside the airport's main terminal, pallets full of cat food, piles of dog beds, and boxes of leashes and toys line the sidewalk. Volunteers and California Army National Guard Soldiers scurry to help unload donations from a steady stream of cars and trucks lined up at the curb. Because the airport is not able to operate normally, it was converted to a makeshift animal shelter housing hundreds of animals displaced by the devastation of the Camp Fire. Rosene said the buildings and fencing configuration make an ideal location for the shelter, with built-in dog runs and space for multiple types of small animals. While the facility primarily houses dogs and cats, it also provides shelter to rabbits, pet birds, hamsters, reptiles, chickens, ducks and geese. "It's a big job." Rosene said. "It's a challenge to help take care of all these animals, but this is our goal and purpose." Out on the sidewalk, two Soldiers from the California Army National Guard's 870th Military Police Company direct traffic and help unload donations. Spc. Mark Maynard, a military police officer with the 870th, explains that he and his company help with operations, and provide additional security. Maynard says he is spending much of his time helping volunteers and community members who visit the shelter. "We're unloading people's donations and giving people donations that have been received," Maynard said. "We give people the right directions if their animal is lost, or if their animal is here and they want to visit them. It's good to show your support and help them the best way you can. It gives me pride and joy...to help them with whatever they need." Soldiers from the MP company provide 24-hour support for the facility. At night, they secure and patrol the shelter so the volunteers get a chance to go home. "Having the Guard here is really important to help our volunteers get some rest," Rosene said. "It's good to have people here with the skills needed to deal with this kind of situation." Inside the dog shelter, it is surprisingly peaceful. Music plays to keep the animals calm, and their crates are covered with blankets to help them feel safe. Though there are unclaimed animals in the larger facility, all the dogs in this building have been identified by their owners and are waiting to be reunited with their families. Animals arrive at the shelter through many different paths. Some are rescued by fire crews, others are picked up by volunteers at the request of their owners, some are located by utility crews, and some are being housed temporarily because their owners are staying at a shelter that doesn't allow pets. Many of the volunteers at the shelter are local, and came to work here because they have been personally impacted. Many of them have seen the impact of the fire first hand, and this work is very personal for them. Michelle Moore, a musical theater major at Chico State, has been working long days at the shelter ever since operations began. After the college canceled their classes, Moore, who is originally from Texas, began volunteering full time to support the operations at the terminal. "I love these babies," she says, cuddling one of her favorite dogs. "I want to make their lives easier." Moore often works 12 or 14 hour days at the shelter, and plans to continue working with NVADG in the future. She said that the outpouring of support is almost overwhelming. "As awful as this situation is, it has boosted my confidence in humanity," said Moore. Rosene echoed his appreciation for the outpouring of support the shelter has received. Managing operations at this scale has required massive coordination, he said. Multiple organizations have come together to provide response efforts, including search and rescue efforts, volunteer coordination and veterinary care. The organizations work directly with Butte County Animal control, and include support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a leading expert in managing disaster operations, and the California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps, which provides medical treatment and care for the animals on site. "This effort is just so huge," he said. "It's a rare and extraordinary thing. It takes all of us to get things done."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Alaska Air Guard Rescue Triad Conducts Water Rescue Training
 By Alejandro Peña,
  Nevada National Guard Holds Workshop for New Partner Samoa
 By Capt. Emerson Marcus,
  Wisconsin National Guard Brigade Begins Major Training Exercise
 By Staff Sgt. Katie Volkman,
  More
 Alaska Air Guard Rescue Triad Conducts Water Rescue Training Guard News • 10 hours ago
 Wisconsin National Guard Brigade Begins Major Training Exercise Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Idaho National Guard, German JTACs Train Together Guard News • yesterday
 Tennessee National Guard Rescues 2 Injured Hikers Guard News • 2 days ago
 Kentucky Air Guard to Fly at D-Day Observance in France Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (176)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil