Dogs, cats, horses –
Los Angeles fires also traumatize animals
As fires ravage the American megalopolis, solidarity is organized to save the animals affected by the tragedy.
The Pasadena Humane Society, located in a suburb north of Los Angeles, took in 400 animals from Altadena.
Getty Images via AFP
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When the flames swept through the town of Altadena, north of Los Angeles, Janell Gruss kept her cool: without flinching, she organized the escape of the 25 horses, pigs and other cows in her care. “It’s very hard for them because they don’t know what’s happening,” she confided to AFP, in an equestrian center in the region where she and her protégés took refuge.
The place has taken on the appearance of Noah’s Ark, in the face of the multiple fires which have besieged the American megalopolis this week. Among the hundred animals that escaped: ponies, donkeys and even a miniature cow. After his catastrophic escape, Mme Gruss was relieved to find this haven of peace.
“The last horse we took out of the stable, […] it was really difficult,” she says. “There was a lot of smoke, it was dark, I couldn’t see anything. The horse and I were tripping over things, branches. I thought I was going to be one of the victims killed by the fire,” she whispers.
The flames have killed at least sixteen people in the region since Tuesday and forced more than 150,000 people to flee. Donations are pouring in for these human survivors, but also for the countless animals affected by the tragedy.
“Never seen anything like this”
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” says Jennie Nevin, director of communications for the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. The first night, Tuesday, was very busy and chaotic. People came from everywhere […] sometimes by delivering a whole load of horses aboard large trucks.”
In front of one of the boxes, Tarah Paige takes care of Trufflesher 3-year-old daughter’s pony. “It was a real whirlwind,” says this professional stuntwoman.
The outpouring of solidarity extends well beyond this single equestrian center. Animal rights activists, veterinarians and volunteers come from everywhere to offer their help.
-Hurt and stressed
The Pasadena Humane Society, located in another suburb north of Los Angeles, took in 400 animals from Altadena. Many are injured, diminished and visibly stressed. Like this 5-day-old puppy, his eyes still closed, found with burnt ears in the middle of the ruins of a burned-out building.
Donations are pouring in for the human survivors, but also for the countless animals affected by the tragedy.
Getty Images via AFP
Patron of the Animal Wellness Centers clinic, Annie Harvilicz has not slept a wink in recent days. The veterinarian offered to take in animals when the first fire of the week broke out in Pacific Palisades, an upscale neighborhood in northwest Los Angeles.
Since then, it has been overwhelmed by requests for care and new arrivals. He is entrusted with dogs, cats and even a rabbit. A wave of victims which is likely to continue for a long time, according to her. Because the fires are still not under control. “As the fire recedes in certain areas, we will find more injured animals,” she predicts. This is just the beginning.”
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