No Ark

This photo shows the water line from the flood at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter.

Photo by Kent Treptow / L.A. Times

Last week Laguna Beach got hit with six days of torrential rain, which caused over $10 million in damage to businesses, homes, and city structures. Mudslides and flooding wiped out the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter as well as the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. (I've mentioned the Marine Mammal Center on here before.) Fortunately, no patients were injured in the floodwaters at the Marine Mammal Center, which were four feet deep. All sea lions were safely evacuated to another animal care center.

The Animal Shelter incurred at least $800,000 in damages. The flood and mudslide destroyed all the computers, files, and office equipment. The night before the mudslide, shelter workers had placed stools in the dog kennels "just in case." When workers reached the shelter the next day, the dogs were standing on the stools. Tragically, the storm took the lives of two chickens and one bunny. But all cats and dogs were relocated.

Incidents like this make me hug my pets even tighter. I love giving them a warm, safe, and happy home. I wish I could make sure other pets are just as fortunate.