While most of the media attention has been focused on the human casualties associated with ongoing wildfires in and around Los Angeles, there are countless other creatures in direct danger.
For one veterinarian, the disaster presented an opportunity for her to step in, putting both her skills and bravery to use.
According to Breitbart:
When Dr. Annie Harvilicz’s brother called her on Tuesday hoping to leave his pet rabbit and cat with her as he fled from the Palisades fire, she agreed and then decided she could do even more to save lives, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
She runs the Animal Wellness Centers in Marina del Rey and Laguna Vista Veterinary Center in Harbor City, so the veterinarian is well-versed in animal welfare, therefore she used social media to inform locals they could bring their pets to the Marina del Rey location for safety.
What resulted was a series of visits from people in desperate need of a safe place for their pets. The feel-good story soon began to spread far and wide via social media:
Heroic woman rescues 41 pets from the wildfires.
Dr. Annie Harvilicz, a veterinarian, bravely risked her life to help rescue dogs, cats and a rabbit from the path of the Pacific Palisades fire as their owners were forced to flee.
The animal lover has opened her home and an… pic.twitter.com/SAmOnZzXuV
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 8, 2025
Annie Harvilicz is a vet in Marina del Rey (LA County) that has compassionately opened her home and an empty vet hospital to 41 animals that residents are LEAVING BEHIND in the fire.
“I had a family bring in 10 dogs, and they had to leave behind their horses,” she said. “To me,… pic.twitter.com/40hba315Tf
— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) January 9, 2025
The heroic veterinarian takes in 41 animals as owners flee ‘apocalyptic’ Palisades Fire: ‘I haven’t slept at all’.#Olivas #Malibu #Palisades #Eaton #Hurst #Fire
Annie Harvilicz, 47, opened her home and an empty pet hospital to more than 40 dogs and cats — along with a lone… https://t.co/VQQOhufJZX pic.twitter.com/vpri7MwXut— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) January 9, 2025
Additional details regarding her efforts were included in an article published by I Heart Dogs:
“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.”
Here’s what the veterinarian had to say about her mission:
Veterinarian Annie Harvilicz speaks about taking in pets amid fire evacuations in the Los Angeles area.
“Most people reaching out to me are reaching out to help,” Harvilicz says. pic.twitter.com/GZM2Cooa7Z
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) January 8, 2025
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