Annie Harvilicz, a vet from Los Angeles, didn’t hesitate to step in and help out when the Palisades Fire started getting out of control.
She opened up her home and a nearby pet clinic to more than 40 animals whose owners couldn’t take them when they had to evacuate.
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“I just thought, I’ve got space, I can help,” Harvilicz said. She even took in a rabbit named Oreo.
A family brought 10 dogs but had to leave their horses
“I had a family bring in 10 dogs, but they had to leave their horses behind,” Harvilicz said. “It was a no-brainer for me. I’ve got the space, so I said, ‘I can help out.’”
The vet’s clinic became a safe haven for displaced animals
Once the fire started Tuesday, Harvilicz immediately opened the doors to her Animal Wellness Center Marina del Rey to take in the displaced pets. She also took four animals into her own home, which is near LAX, just to make sure they’d be safe.
The wildfire raged just 12 miles away from the clinic
Her clinic is about 12 miles away from where the fire was spreading fast. Thousands of thousands of people had to evacuate, and the winds pushed the flames harder.
The vet hasn’t slept and is exhausted from smoke exposure
Harvilicz has been working round-the-clock to help coordinate pet rescues. “I haven’t slept at all, and my eyes are burning from the smoke,” she said. “But I’m doing it because I love these animals, and I want to make sure they’re alright.”
Rescuing larger animals was much harder
While she’s been able to rescue a bunch of pets, like a cat named Pumpkin and a Pitbull named Daisy, it’s been harder to save the bigger animals.
“One woman asked me for help with her nine donkeys, but she didn’t have trailers,” Harvilicz explained.
“They had to let them go, and they probably didn’t make it. The big animals are the real tragedy,” she added.
A Facebook post helped more animals find safety
After her brother called her Tuesday morning, asking her to care for his cat and rabbit. At the same time he evacuated, Harvilicz posted on Facebook, offering to help other pet owners in need. “I just thought, there’s gonna be more people like my brother who need help,” she said.
Volunteers and a non-profit stepped in to help
Since then, many people have offered help, and Harvilicz’s non-profit, the Animal Wellness Foundation, has also supported her efforts.
Hotels couldn’t accommodate pets, leaving owners stranded
A lot of the pet owners who evacuated had too many animals to take to the hotels they were staying at, Harvilicz said.
The vet encourages pet owners to reach out for help
Harvilicz urges anyone with a pet who needs help to reach out, even if they’re worried about costs. “If you have a pet that needs care, don’t hesitate to contact a vet. There are vets like me willing to help,” she said.
The wildfire caused devastating destruction
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire had destroyed 15,000 acres and killed at least two people.
It’s incredible what people like Harvilicz are doing to help in times of crisis. It shows how much love and compassion there is for our furry friends when it counts.
Last Updated on January 9, 2025 by Sarah Kester
