Charity HQ dba First Nations Veterinary

Umatilla County: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR)
Request: $1,747

First Nations Veterinary is requesting emergency funding to help offset the unexpected costs incurred while responding to an urgent animal evacuation situation during the July 2026 Hagen Fire in Umatilla County, Oregon.

During the fire, we were contacted regarding a woman whose home and animals were located within the Hagen Fire evacuation zone. With rapidly changing conditions and the area placed under a Level 3 evacuation order, immediate action was needed to help protect her dogs. Because the owner was unable to safely retrieve and transport all of the animals herself, First Nations Veterinary stepped in to coordinate an emergency rescue and evacuation effort. This response required resources and expenses that were not part of our planned 2026 programming. We incurred unexpected costs for transportation, emergency animal-handling supplies, and experienced personnel capable of safely gathering and transporting fearful dogs from an active Level 3 evacuation zone without their owner present. The dogs were understandably frightened and difficult to handle, requiring experienced individuals who could safely capture, transport, and coordinate placement for them under extremely stressful circumstances.

Through the combined efforts of First Nations Veterinary and our shelter partners, we were able to secure safe placement for 22 dogs:

• 8 dogs were transported to Safe Haven Humane Society

• 8 dogs were placed with Blue Mountain Humane Society

• 6 dogs were transported to Oregon Humane Society

• The remaining dogs were able to remain safely with their owner at a Red Cross evacuation shelter

This emergency response prevented animals from being left behind in an active wildfire evacuation zone and provided the owner with the support necessary to keep her animals safe during an extraordinarily difficult situation.