Annie Harvilicz received an urgent phone call from her brother on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday morning. With worry in his voice, he asked if she could take care of his beloved rabbit, Oreo, and cat, Winston, as he hurriedly evacuated due to the encroaching Palisades fire, which was perilously close to his home.
Harvilicz, running two veterinary hospitals, immediately agreed. As she contemplated the many other animals likely in this same predicament, she took to Facebook, extending a welcoming hand to pet owners in crisis.
In her heartfelt message, she offered her unoccupied, former veterinary hospital in Marina del Rey as a safe haven for animals needing refuge. “I have an empty old vet hospital in Marina del Rey. I am happy to house any animals that need to be evacuated,” she urged online.
Ever since, Harvilicz has been inundated with both pleas for help and encouraging offers from volunteers willing to lend a hand. Fortunately, more people are reaching out to help than are seeking to relinquish their animals, a relief in times of such distress. Yet, many have had no choice but to temporarily part with their pets.
“I had a woman drop off four dogs,” she shared, recounting her exhausting night spent aiding those needing animal shelter. At present, she is caring for approximately 20 dogs, 20 cats, and Oreo the rabbit.
However, Harvilicz anticipates this number will rise as the hours tick by. With the fire having blazed through over 2,900 acres by Wednesday morning, she has even taken some of these furry companions into her own home.
“Most calls are from people with multiple pets,” she explained. “They can probably bring one pet to a hotel, but not more than one or two.”
The resources at her hospitals allow her to treat any injured animals and provide bedding and food to those that need them, adding layers of reassurance for many worried owners.
A heartbreaking aspect of this endeavor is the animals that cannot be safely rescued. On Tuesday, Harvilicz spent significant time trying to organize transportation for nine donkeys needing sanctuary. However, by the time the arrangements were in place, their owner had already fled, leaving the donkeys behind.
“That story hits the hardest. It feels like we let the donkeys down,” Harvilicz lamented, her words echoing a deep sense of regret and helplessness.
For fellow pet owners seeking assistance, Harvilicz advises reaching out to her veterinary hospitals at the numbers provided:
Marina del Rey location: (310) 450-7387
Harbor City location: (310) 737-8600
The Palisades fire has brought chaos and heartache to many in Los Angeles, leaving not only residents but also their faithful companions in dire need of support.
As the community comes together to aid one another, stories of resilience and kindness shine through the smoke. If you have your own experiences or thoughts about this situation, please share your comments and stories with us. We’re all in this together.
