Woman Who Runs 2 Calif. Vet Hospitals Opens Homes to Pets Fleeing L.A. Fires

Mar. 15, 2025

Image of people evacuating the Los Angeles fires with pets.Photo:ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

Amid thedevasting Los Angeles fires, one veterinarian is offering pets a place to stay.

California veterinarianAnnie Harvilicz, who runs the Animal Wellness Centers in Marina del Rey and Laguna Vista Veterinary Center in Harbor City, quickly sprung to action when the first fire broke out around the Los Angeles neighborhood ofthe Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

That same day, she posted a message onFacebookletting residents know she could offer their animals a home while they evacuated the area.

Image of firefighters putting out flames from the Los Angeles fires.Apu Gomes/Getty

Apu Gomes/Getty

“I have an empty old vet hospital in marina del Rey. I am happy to house any animals that need to be evacuated. If you know anyone who needs to leave and doesn’t have a place for their pets please have them email me at drannieawc@gmail.com and I can open up the old hospital for temporary housing. Also anyone wanting to help here is my foundationwww.animalwellnessfoundation.org,” her post read.

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Image of the Los Angeles fires.Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/ Los Angeles Daily News via Getty

Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/ Los Angeles Daily News via Getty

In an interview with theLos Angeles Timespublished on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Harvilicz said she had helped take in roughly 20 dogs, 20 cats, and her brother’s rabbit Oreo, as her hospitals can help treat pets with injuries and offer extra food and bedding.

“The majority of people reaching out are multiple pet owners. They might be able to take one dog or cat to a hotel but not two or three," Harvilicz told the newspaper.

Image of a firefighter putting out flames from the Los Angeles fires.DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty

DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty

As of Wednesday,the fires have grown to over 11,000 acres, leaving five people dead, making it the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles County, according to theAssociated Press.

An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed across the city,including the homes of many celebrities.In addition tomany Hollywood events being canceled,over 30,000 residents have been forced to evacuate the city.

Click hereto learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

source: people.com