California wildfires: Long Island groups stepping up disaster relief efforts through animal rescues, donations [Video]

EAST MEADOW, Long Island (WABC) — From near and far, Long Island is coming together to help the lives of complete strangers in the wake of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, pitching in with animal rescues and crucial donations.

“So, here we are. We’ve been doing door-to-door searches here at the request of property owners to look for their animals,” said Paws of War Nesconset Director of Animal Welfare and Logistics Niki Dawson.

Dawson touched down near the devastating Palisades wildfires on Monday.

Two days later, she helped reunite a cat named Ziggy with her 80-year-old owner.

“She’s so incredibly grateful. It was just something that we needed to keep doing, this heartbreaking work,” Dawson said. “Having that success story was really meaningful to us.”

Back on Long Island, businesses like Hitch Boutique in Babylon are banding together to pitch in.

“We’re taking brand new donations because sadly we don’t have enough time to look …