The Los Angeles wildfires have not only destroyed property and displaced residents, they've displaced pets and wildlife. Organizations across the country have stepped up to lend a hand — including at least one Fort Worth shelter that is bringing animals to Texas from Los Angeles.

The initiative is organized by two groups — Wings of Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society — and involves the relocation of animals from Southern California to other parts of the country.

In Fort Worth, the key recipient is the Humane Society of North Texas ( HSNT), a nonprofit animal group that operates a shelter and clinics in Tarrant County, which will take receipt of more than 150 animals being flown in from L.A.

The animals are expected to arrive at Meacham Airport in Fort Worth on January 19.

Helping Los Angeles is a feelgood initiative right now, and helping animals is a good thing. But the import has raised concern among some local rescues who point to Dallas-Fort Worth shelters that are already overwhelmed and overcrowded, with animals being euthanized because they are unable to find adopters or fosters.

According to a statement from HSNT, "these aren’t owned pets — they’re adoptable dogs and cats from California shelters, transported to free up critical space for families desperately searching for their beloved pets displaced by the devastating wildfires."

This concept of emptying an animal shelter during a disaster to make room for incoming lost animals is not uncommon. And this is not the first time the Humane Society of North Texas has brought in animals during disasters.

In 2024, HSNT took in 39 animals from Georgia during Hurricane Helene, and in 2020, they received 46 animals from Louisiana during Hurricane Sally.

This is considerably larger, with more than 150 animals being flown in by Wings of Rescue — a company that regularly transports animals from shelters. These animals include strays and surrendered animals that were already being held at shelters in Los Angeles prior to the fires.

One other group — Fort Worth-based Saving Hope — has stated that it has committed to take "several dogs," but a spokesperson for HSNT, which is organizing the venture, says they have not yet confirmed partnerships with local rescues.

Questioning what seems like an act of compassion is not something most want to do publicly, but this sentiment is pretty typical:

"All rescues are struggling here for fosters, donations and space to save dogs in Texas," said one veteran. "While the situation in California is absolutely heartbreaking, bringing in more homeless animals to Texas, especially DFW, makes no sense. Hundreds are being euthanized for space with many city shelters not even intaking strays."

Another stated that they were "aghast" that large animal welfare institutions would do it while animals are "dying daily for space in Texas municipal shelters."

"The reality is that people donate money during natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires and the large animal welfare institutions know it. How do we stop it? Don't reward negative behavior and please don't give them money."