After the devastating Palisades Fire, a kind-hearted veterinarian in Los Angeles went above and beyond to rescue and care for animals displaced by the disaster. Dr. Annie Havilich, 47, opened her home and vacant pet hospital to house more than 40 animals, including dogs, cats and even a rabbit named Oreo. Many pet owners who are unable to take their animals to temporary accommodations turn to Harvilicz for help.
Havilich, who runs two animal hospitals in the Los Angeles area, began accepting pets at the Animal Wellness Center in Marina del Rey shortly after the fire broke out. She also brought four animals to her home near Los Angeles International Airport. The fire, fanned by Santa Ana’s high winds, caused widespread evacuations and ash blanketed the sky in an apocalyptic haze. Despite the smoke and lack of sleep, Hervilitz remains fully committed to his mission.
“I haven’t slept at all and my eyes hurt 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 adopted are a cat named Pumpkin and a pit bull named Daisy. However, rescuing larger animals has proven more difficult.
“One woman needed help transporting nine donkeys, but she didn’t have a trailer,” Hervilitz said. “They should have released them, but they probably didn’t make it in time.” She said the fires were especially devastating for large animals and highlighted critical gaps in rescue efforts. he lamented.
Havilich’s efforts began Tuesday morning when her brother called her to help house pets during the evacuation. Realizing that many others were in the same situation, she quickly extended her offer to the wider community. Hervilitz coordinated rescue efforts through her nonprofit Animal Wellness Foundation and brought in additional volunteers to help care for the influx of animals.
Many pet owners evacuating from the fires have multiple animals and are facing difficulty finding accommodation for them. Hervilitz emphasized the importance of asking for help. “If you have a pet that needs help, contact your veterinarian, even if you think you can’t afford treatment,” she said. “There are veterans out there who are just as happy to help as I am.”
She could barely walk or breathe when rescuers found her.
Rescuers swooped in, but by the time they got the puppy, he had lost the use of his back legs, was having trouble breathing, and weighed only about 20 pounds.
Dr Hervilitz also posted a petition on his Facebook page, urging people to take their pets with them when evacuating. She insists residents must act now because they will not be able to return to retrieve their animals. She advocates for more hotels and rental properties to accommodate pets.
This incredible veterinarian’s tireless work amidst chaos not only saved dozens of animals, but also provided hope and comfort to their owners during a time of immense uncertainty. Thank you, Dr. Harvilitz. Heroes like you deserve all the praise in the world!
