Group Animal Rescuer Helps Save Over 100 Animals from L.A. Fires (Unique)

Austin Muhs, an astrologer and venture supervisor dwelling in Santa Monia, California, is at all times prepared to assist an animal in want.

Earlier than shifting to California, he lived in Texas, the place he realized about animal rescue and put his teachings to the check by aiding quite a few animals as a civilian volunteer throughout Hurricane Harvey. This ardour for safeguarding pets and wildlife grew into the 999 Rescue Group, an animal rescue group made up of tons of of rescue groups throughout the nation devoted to serving to animals caught in pure disasters.

However Muhs’ devotion to serving to animals does not cease at large-scale rescue operations; the emergency rescue specialist additionally makes time to assist particular person struggling critters. On Nextdoor, a social community for neighborhoods, Muhs is among the go-to guys his Santa Monica group recommends when a person wants animal rescue help.

“When a put up seems on Nextdoor asking for steerage to assist take care of injured birds, or tips on how to shield weak creatures like motherless possums and squirrels, neighbors typically put up a easy resolution: Contact Austin,” a Nextdoor spokesperson shared about Muhs’ native superstar standing.

It’s normal for Muhs to obtain a number of calls or inquiries every day, particularly about birds needing assist, and he does his greatest to answer all of them.

“There’ll simply be individuals who want this or that animal rescued; perhaps an injured hen or an deserted child squirrel — so I’ll present up and assist,” Muhs says about how Nextdoor helps him with animal rescue. “I assume I simply turned well-known for being ‘Johnny on the spot’ in these moments, if you’ll. Folks would name, and I’d come inside an hour in most cases.”

When the Palisades Fireplace began on Jan. 7, Muhs did not wait to be requested for assist; he posted a message on Nextdoor, letting his neighbors know he was prepared to assist with animal rescue and evacuations in any manner he might. With the help of the 999 Rescue Group’s “wonderful helpers and volunteers,” Muhs began responding to requests from overwhelmed animal house owners, particularly individuals nervous about their horses.

“The primary name I bought was for a horse within the Palisades, so I form of went into catastrophe prep mode and began in search of groups to trailer the horse out. Then I referred to as my buddy Jessica, who has hookups within the Palisades, simply in case we would have liked to make a name to get previous a roadblock. Fortunately, there was no roadblock, and we had been simply capable of get in and be of help,” Muhs tells PEOPLE about his first rescue in response to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County.

For the reason that first profitable horse rescue on Jan. 7, Muhs and his staff of rescuers have helped save a rising variety of animals from the fires.

“It isn’t simply me by any stretch of the creativeness; it is the wonderful staff I run for the 999 Rescue Group group. I had over 25 haulers (with vans and trailers), in all probability one other 20-30 volunteers, and three key admins who helped me with this hearth,” Muhs says, including that collectively, the group has saved about “100 horses, one pig, 20 sheep, and a bunch of canine and cats” up to now.

The variety of individuals serving to Muhs has additionally grown. Muhs created sign-up sheets for volunteer and donation alternatives for these inexperienced in animal rescue work and posted them on Nextdoor for group members “keen to assist however uncertain of tips on how to contribute.”

He hopes his actions and the brave efforts of the rescuers he works with encourage others to help their group.

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“Attempt to be a frontrunner in your group. I used to be only a punk 20-something once I began doing all of this,” Muhs says, including, “Do not wait for somebody to inform you what to do. Do what you’ll be able to to type your personal native groups and organizations.”

Click on right here to study extra about tips on how to assist the victims of the L.A. fires.