When wildfires erupted around Los Angeles, Janell Gruss, a manager at a stable, found herself facing an urgent and complex task.

While many evacuated the area with just the clothes on their backs, Gruss had to deal with the added responsibility of safely evacuating over 25 horses and other animals, all while wildfires threatened the area.

The Chaos of Evacuating Horses in the Face of Fire

As the flames spread and winds whipped at speeds of up to 160 km/h, Gruss wrestled with frightened horses.

“The last horse we had to get out of the barn… it was pretty bad,” she recalled, speaking with tears in her eyes. “It was very smoky. It was dark.

I couldn’t see where I was,” she continued.

“Both the horse and I were tripping over things, branches, whatever was on the ground.”

Despite her fear and exhaustion, she knew she had to act quickly.

At one point, Gruss even feared for her life.

“I thought I might have been one of those casualties,” she said. Her words, full of emotion, reflect the danger and urgency of the situation.

The Impact of the Wildfires on Los Angeles

These wildfires have forced more than 150,000 people from their homes, with at least 16 lives lost.

The disaster has left parts of Los Angeles irreparably altered.

As people scramble to leave their homes with their pets and animals in tow, resources are stretched thin, and many shelters are overwhelmed.

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Jennie Nevin, the communications director for the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

The chaos was palpable during the first night, as people from all over Los Angeles arrived seeking refuge for their animals.

A Haven in the Chaos for Animals

At the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, dozens of animals—donkeys, pigs, ponies, and even TV star miniature cows—found shelter.

Tarah Paige, a professional stuntwoman, arrived with her three-year-old daughter to check on their pony, Truffles, and miniature cow, Cuddles.

For her, the center became an oasis amidst the chaos.

Nevin noted the overwhelming community support, saying, “It really takes a village.

It takes the community.”

Volunteers, veterinarians, and activists have banded together to care for and rescue animals caught in the blaze.

One such organization, the Pasadena Humane Society, took in around 400 animals, including a severely burned puppy found in the ruins of a building in Altadena.

Ongoing Efforts to Care for Fire-Stricken Animals

Across the area, animal rescues continue to unfold.

Annie Harvilicz, founder of the Animal Wellness Center, has been tirelessly working through the night to help as many animals as possible.

As the fires spread to the upscale Pacific Palisades area, Harvilicz put out a call for help on social media.

The response was immediate, and animals began arriving, including dogs, cats, and even a rabbit.

Even as the flames continue to rage, the calls for assistance have not slowed.

Harvilicz acknowledges that while the fires may eventually subside, the long-term effects on animals will continue.

“There’s gonna be more pets found, more pets injured, with smoke inhalation and burns,” she said.

“This is just the beginning.”

A Call for Help and Reflection on the Tragedy

As Los Angeles faces this heartbreaking tragedy, the community’s resilience shines through.

While the fight to save lives continues, many are left reflecting on the profound impact the wildfires have had on both humans and animals alike.

Have you been following the events in Los Angeles? Share your thoughts or help spread awareness of the ongoing needs in the area.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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