In the wake of the devastating Palisades Fire, a golden-hearted veterinarian in Los Angeles has gone above and beyond to rescue and care for animals displaced by the disaster. Dr. Annie Harvilicz, 47, has opened her home and a vacant pet hospital to house over 40 animals, including dogs, cats, and even a rabbit named Oreo. Many pet owners, unable to bring their animals to temporary accommodations, have turned to Harvilicz for help.
Harvilicz, who operates two animal hospitals in the Los Angeles area, began taking in pets at the Animal Wellness Center in Marina del Rey shortly after the fire erupted. She has also brought four of the animals into her own home near Los Angeles International Airport. The fire, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, has caused widespread evacuations, with ash blanketing the sky in an apocalyptic haze. Despite the smoke and lack of sleep, Harvilicz remains committed to her mission.
“I haven’t slept at all, and my eyes are hurting from the smoke,” she admitted in an interview. “But I do it because I love animals and want to take care of them.” Among the pets she has taken in are a cat named Pumpkin and a Pit Bull named Daisy. However, rescuing larger animals has proven more challenging.
“One woman needed help with her nine donkeys but didn’t have trailers,” Harvilicz shared. “They had to release them, and they most likely didn’t make it.” She lamented that the fires have been particularly devastating for large animals, highlighting a critical gap in rescue efforts.
Harvilicz’s efforts began after her brother called her on Tuesday morning, asking for help housing his pets while he evacuated. Recognizing that many others would be in the same situation, she quickly extended her offer to the wider community. Through her non-profit, the Animal Wellness Foundation, Harvilicz has coordinated rescue efforts and brought in additional volunteers to care for the influx of animals.
Many of the pet owners fleeing the fires have multiple animals and face challenges finding accommodations that allow them. Harvilicz has emphasized the importance of reaching out for help. “If you have a pet that needs help, please reach out to a vet even if you think you can’t afford care,” she said. “There are vets like myself who are willing to help.”
Dr. Harvilicz also posted a plea to her Facebook page, urging people to take their pets with them when they are evacuated. She insists that residents will be unable to go back to retrieve their animals and that they must act now! She is claiming more hotels and rentals will accommodate pets.
This wonderful veterinarian’s tireless work amid the chaos has not only saved dozens of animals but has also provided hope and comfort to their owners in a time of immense uncertainty. We thank you, Dr. Harvilicz. Heroes like you need all the praise in the world!
Please ‘SHARE’ to pass on this story to a friend or family member
Click ‘SHARE’ below to pass this along to a friend or family member
The post Veterinarian Takes In 41 Animals As Owners Flee, ‘I Haven’t Slept At All’ appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.