Warm Springs Animal Relief Fund

When wildfires move through a landscape, the effects don't end when the smoke clears.

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The recent Bench Fire has left a lasting impact on the Warm Springs community, destroying thousands of acres of grazing land and disrupting the natural resources that animals depend on to survive. Horses, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife are all facing the consequences of this loss, and many of those challenges will continue long after the fire is contained.

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The Warm Springs Animal Relief Fund was created to help address those needs.

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What began as concern for a single horse injured during the fire quickly grew into a broader effort to support an entire community. As local rescue organizations, veterinarians, and animal advocates came together, it became clear that the loss of grazing land, feed resources, and habitat would affect countless animals and the people who care for them.

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Today, the Warm Springs Animal Relief Fund is a collaborative partnership dedicated to helping animals recover from the immediate and long-term impacts of the Bench Fire.

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Our Goal

Our initial goal was to raise $15,000 to purchase and transport critical resources, including:

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• Hay and feed for horses and livestock

• Grain, supplements, and salt blocks

• Emergency animal care supplies

• Support for companion animals affected by the fire

• Resources that benefit wildlife impacted by habitat loss

• Transportation and distribution of donated supplies

 

The original goal was established to support immediate emergency response efforts, but as we continue to assess conditions on the ground, it is becoming clear that the needs will extend well beyond this fire season and likely into 2027. For that reason, we have not established a new fundraising target. Instead, our focus is on ensuring resources remain available as recovery needs are identified and prioritized.

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What we do know is that recovery will be measured in months and years, not weeks. Additional funds beyond our original goal will help provide feed, veterinary care, fencing and infrastructure repair, transportation, emergency animal support, and other critical recovery needs as they emerge.

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Working Together

This effort is being supported by a coalition of rescue organizations, veterinary professionals, and community partners, including:

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• 3 Sisters Equine Refuge

• Central Oregon Equine Rescue

• Dr. Buer and veterinary partners

• Fences for Fido

• Happy Trails Horse Rescue

• Harmony Farms

• Heart Space Horse Sanctuary

• Lark Rescue

• Mustangs to the Rescue

• Rags to Rescues

• Safe Acres

• Skydog Sanctuary

• Haystack Farms and Oregon Feed & Irrigation

 

Additional community partners are assisting with collecting and distributing donations, supplies, and feed throughout the region.

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How You Can Help

Every donation helps provide food, care, and support for animals affected by the Bench Fire. Whether your gift helps purchase a bale of hay, a load of feed, veterinary supplies, or transportation for donated resources, your generosity becomes part of the recovery effort.

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Together, we can help ensure that animals and the people who care for them have the support they need in the weeks and months ahead.