Recovery & Resources / AN ORANGE COUNTY GUIDE TO COPING WITH FIRE : Call Shelters to Locate Lost Animals : Pets: Humane Society, veterinarians may have leads on dogs, cats and other creatures missing in fire. Free kennels, support groups are available.

Hundreds of dogs and cats--even an iguana and some snakes--have been found and taken to shelters and hospitals after the devastating fires that hit Laguna Beach and Irvine on Wednesday.

Pet owners are encouraged to call the Irvine Animal Care Center, 15129 Sand Canyon Road, (714) 724-7740, or Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, (714) 497-3552, to report a missing pet.

Officials suggest that people who have lost pets should call local veterinarians and shelters to inquire about them.

But identifying pets lost during the fire is no easy task, since many animals don’t have identification tags, officials said.

“We’re all learning from this. The most important thing people can do for their pets is to make sure their pets have current tags, it makes it much easier to get them reunited with their owners,” said Lt. Marie Hulett-Curtner of Orange County Animal Control.

Hulett-Curtner said animal control officers combed the fire-ravaged areas Thursday looking for lost animals or those left behind at homes.

When calling one of the shelters to report a missing pet, Hulett-Curtner said pet owners will be asked to provide a description of the pet and leave a name and telephone number. Hulett-Curtner said people should try to be patient.

Veterinarian Bernadine Cruz of Laguna Hills Animal Hospital urges people who find a lost pet to try to hold onto it and make a report to one of the shelters.

“Shelters are inundated” and are running out of space, Cruz said.

If a pet is injured or sick, the Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn., 1 (800) 310-7665, is acting as a clearinghouse, Cruz said.

Cruz added that the association’s Animal Health Foundation can help pet owners with any medical treatment costs.

Many of the animals are suffering from paw injuries from walking on hot embers or from smoke inhalation, Cruz said.

Cruz also recommends that pet owners still in their homes should keep animals indoors and turn on the air conditioner to avoid respiratory ailments.

Cruz said if people have to evacuate their homes, “definitely take them, because the fire department is overtaxed right now and unable to supply services.”

If there is a possibility of evacuation, pet owners may want to place their animal in a kennel or, if they have horses, move them now while there is no immediate danger, Cruz said. The Orange County Fairgrounds is housing horses from the fire, she said.

If people go to area shelters, Cruz said that in most cases they will not be allowed to keep their pets with them.

“The alternative is taking the pet to a local veterinary hospital or kennel--most will accept them and not charge a boarding fee.”

Pet owners should also keep leashes, food and water on hand if an evacuation becomes necessary.

Pet carriers are recommended to transport animals. For cats, a pillowcase may be used. “This way they’re confined while they are trying to safely evacuate.”

For people who lost pets in the fire, a support group meets from 8 to 10 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Newport Beach Community Center, 883 W. 15th St. More information is available by calling (310) 559-3164.

Those wishing to donate kennel services, food, money or other pet supplies may call the South Orange County Emergency Animal Clinic, 28832 Camino Capistrano, (714) 364-6228, in San Juan Capistrano.

More information and assistance is available by calling:

* Orange County Animal Control, 561 S. The City Drive, Orange, (714) 935-6848 or (714) 935-7158 for emergencies.

* Sea Breeze Kennel, 2172 S. E. Bristol St., Newport Beach, (714) 756-1016.

* El Toro Animal Hospital, 23162 El Toro Frontage Road, El Toro, (714) 837-5222.

* Crown Valley Animal Hospital, 28892 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, (714) 495-1123.

* Laguna Hills Animal Hospital, 24271 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills, (714) 837-7333.

* Animal Assistance League, (714) 978-PETS.

* Orange County Humane Society, (714) 536-8480.