From the Los Angeles Times, by Noah Goldberg
On Tuesday morning, Annie Harvilicz received a call from her brother.
As he escaped the Palisades fire that was burning across the canyon from his house, he was wondering if he could take his cat, Winston, and rabbit, Oreo, with him.
After saying “yes,” she considered all the other creatures who probably needed somewhere to stay.
Harvilicz is the owner of the Laguna Vista Veterinary Center in Harbor City and the Animal Wellness Centers in Marina del Rey. On Tuesday morning, she posted an appeal on Facebook stating that anyone in need might bring their animals to her.
In Marina del Rey, I own an abandoned veterinary clinic. She wrote, “I would be pleased to take in any animals that must be evacuated.”
Since then, the calls and messages have continued. The good news is that more volunteers have offered to help than people who need to give up their animals, according to Harvilicz. However, for the time being, many people have been forced to give their dogs to Harvilicz.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a firefighter fights the Palisades Fire as it engulfs a building in the Pacific Palisades region of Los Angeles. (Photo by Ethan Swope for AP)
According to Harvilicz, I had a woman drop off four dogs. I spent the entire night assisting those in need of animal housing.
At this time, there are about 20 dogs, 20 cats, and Oreo the rabbit.
However, Harvilicz anticipates that figure to increase during Wednesday’s day. Some of the dogs have even been brought into her house by her. By Wednesday morning, the fire had spread to almost 2,900 acres.
According to her, the vast majority of those contacting her are pet owners. One dog or cat may be allowed to stay in a hotel, but not two or three.
According to Harvilicz, her hospitals can also treat injured pets, and there is additional food and bedding available for those in need.
The creatures that cannot be spared are Harvilicz’s saddest aspect. She worked on Tuesday to get a trailer so she could go to the Palisades and pick up nine donkeys that a woman needed to find a place to stay. However, by the time she had the conveyance ready, the woman had already left and her donkeys were free.
That’s the saddest story, in my opinion, since we failed the donkeys, Harvilicz remarked.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a firefighter fights the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles. (Photo by Etienne Laurent for AP)
Harvilicz advised anyone in need of assistance with animal housing to contact one of her two veterinarian clinics.
(310) 450-7387 is the number for the Marina del Rey site. (310) 737-8600 is the number for the Harbor City location.
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