Dog badly burned in CA wildfire spent months recovering. Now, he needs a home
As a deadly wildfire ravaged Southern California, a dog named Riley soon became “the face of the blaze.”
Riley arrived at Pasadena Humane within the first 24 hours of the start of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, which began Jan. 7, burned 14,021 acres and left 18 dead.
He was “exhausted, covered in soot and ash, and suffering from burns all over his body,” the nonprofit animal shelter said in a May 8 Facebook post.
Days turned into weeks, then months, as veterinary staff treated Riley for his injuries, the nonprofit said.
Beyond physical injuries, the wildfire also took an emotional toll on Riley, according to the shelter.
“The fear and pain Riley must have experienced as he fled the fire have had a lasting impact on him,” the shelter said.
So now that he’s up for adoption, he’s looking for “a special home” — one “that can support his medical and behavioral needs as he continues to heal, inside and out,” the nonprofit said in a May 22 update.
“Riley has already overcome so much and is ready to find a home where he can feel safe, loved, and understood,” the shelter wrote.
Burns to recovery
At the time of his arrival at the shelter, Riley “was suffering from smoke inhalation and had burns all over his body, including all four of his paws,” the nonprofit said.
Veterinary staff treated him, giving “Riley pain medication, antibiotics, and fluids,” the shelter said.
“His tender paws were bandaged—and rebandaged—multiple times a week,” the nonprofit said.
With his extensive injuries, the shelter said “for a while, he couldn’t even leave his kennel to enjoy playtime or other fun activities.”
The shelter said they did all they could to possibly find and reunite Riley with family.
“However, we had no way of knowing if Riley had a family in Altadena who was now searching for him after their house burned down, or if he was a stray dog who tragically got caught in the fast-moving fires,” the shelter said.
Time passed, and no one came to claim him, the nonprofit said.
“As a result of everything he’s been through, Riley has been slow to trust new people, and at times, fearful,” the shelter said.
Even still, the shelter said its “incredibly kind and patient staff members” managed to earn Riley’s trust enough to build relationships.
“We’ve learned that he absolutely loves string cheese and squeaky toys,” the shelter said.
While Riley takes time to trust new people, “once he connects, his playful, high-energy personality shines through,” the nonprofit said.
“It’s been so uplifting to see his personality start to shine through more and more every day, and we’re incredibly proud of the progress he’s made,” the shelter said.
Riley’s ‘ideal home’
Riley is now looking for his “ideal home,” where residents are all 21 or older; there are no additional pets or only one dog of the same or larger size; a secure outdoor space with at least 6-foot tall fencing is included; and is an hour from Pasadena Humane, according to the shelter.
“To set Riley and his new family up for success, potential adopters will meet with him at least twice prior to adoption,” the shelter said.
Such visits would include “behavior consulting and training tips from the certified trainers who have worked with him since he entered our care,” according to the nonprofit.
“If you have the heart, home, and patience to welcome a very special dog, Riley may be the one for you,” the shelter wrote.
Altadena is about a 15-mile drive northeast from downtown Los Angeles.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Dog badly burned in CA wildfire spent months recovering. Now, he needs a home."
