Structure Fire Near Animal Samaritans Adoption Shelter

Tense moments unfolded Tuesday morning as a fire broke out dangerously close to the Animal Samaritans shelter in Thousand Palms, prompting a swift and heroic rescue of dozens of animals. The blaze ignited just after 9:30 a.m. near Ramon Road and Varner Road, directly behind the shelter. Staff and volunteers immediately jumped into action, evacuating around 36 dogs and cats from the facility as flames drew near.

“It was very scary, very intense,” one employee shared. “A lot of our staff are needing to take a few minutes to just catch their breath.”

Animal Samaritans CEO Tom Snyder credited the team’s preparedness and teamwork for the successful evacuation. “We had admin staff, shelter staff, and even volunteers helping with the cat carriers and smaller dogs,” Snyder said. “Within 20 minutes, we were able to get the animals out.”

The fire was fully contained within an hour, but not without complications. Cal Fire Riverside County Chief John Clingingsmith Jr. cited high winds as a major challenge, explaining they can easily spread flames to nearby structures and vegetation.

“There was a small spot of vegetation on the property that caught fire due to embers,” he said. “That’s always a concern for us — the potential for exposure to people and property.”

Fortunately, the shelter had an emergency plan in place, including a transport van and ready-to-go carriers. “Luckily, the fire happened during business hours,” said Snyder. “Everyone was here and able to act quickly.”

No injuries were reported, and the shelter aims to return the animals as soon as the building is deemed safe. “We’re hoping to have all our pets back in the shelter by tomorrow,” Snyder added. “We need to fix broken windows, check the AC units, and make sure everything is safe and cool for the animals.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. For now, the Animal Samaritans shelter remains closed, with hopes of reopening by Thursday, according to their latest social media update. For more information tune into NBC Palm Springs.