When the flames of wildfires erupted around the City of Angels, Janell Gruss found herself in a race against time. For her, the urge to flee wasn’t just about hopping in the car; it was about ensuring the safety of 25 spirited horses and a medley of other creatures that called her stable home.
You see, while most folks were revving their engines and mapping their escape routes, Janell was deep in the fray, amidst swirling embers and howling winds clocking in at an astounding 160 km/h. “The last horse we had to get out of the barn… it was pretty bad,” she recalled, visibly shaken, yet determined, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center where an assortment of animals, some might say a full-on Noah’s Ark, were being sheltered this week.
“It was like trying to herd cats—only these were horses!” Janell laughed through her tears, still processing the frantic moments of that day. “Both the horse and I were tripping over branches and all sorts of debris,” she continued, reflecting on the chaos that unfolded as she struggled to round up her precious animals.
At one point, Janell confessed, fear gripped her. “I thought I was going to be one of those people you hear about—the ones that rush in to rescue a beloved animal and never make it out.” Her voice cracked, testament to the weight of her emotions. Unfortunately, her story isn’t unique. The wildfires have uprooted over 150,000 residents, claiming at least 16 lives, and leaving a permanent scar on the picturesque landscape of Los Angeles.
Amidst the flames, tenderness reigned in the chaos. Families, like the one led by professional stuntwoman Tarah Paige, have found solace in the camaraderie of the equestrian center. She brought her three-year-old daughter to check on their pony, Truffles, and a miniature cow named Cuddles, who’s already a TV star in her own right. “It’s been a whirlwind,” Tarah said, with a smile that belied the distress around, as the equestrian center became a safe haven in this unimaginable storm.
”We’ve never seen anything like this,” Jennie Nevin, the communications director for the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, remarked, her voice a blend of disbelief and admiration. “The first night was a frenzied blur.” From donkeys to pigs, a veritable menagerie of displaced critters found refuge, and the outpouring of community support was nothing short of heartwarming. “It really takes a village,” Nevin expressed, showcasing the spirit of coming together in the face of adversity.
Across Los Angeles, a coalition of tireless activists, veterinarians, and volunteers united in a mission to rescue animals left homeless by the wildfires, some of whom were even injured. The Pasadena Humane Society, for instance, received around 400 displaced animals from Altadena, where over 14,000 acres had already succumbed to flames. Imagine a five-day-old puppy, delicately found amid the ruins, its tiny ears singed. It’s a haunting image, one that tugs at the heartstrings.
Annie Harvilicz, the founder of the Animal Wellness Center, hadn’t caught a wink of sleep in days, but that didn’t dampen her resolve. As infernos threatened the upscale Pacific Palisades, Annie reached out on Facebook, voicing her willingness to take in animals needing refuge. Her post “exploded,” she said, with a wave of furry friends arriving at her doorstep—dogs, cats, and even a rabbit scrambling for safety.
The flames may still be raging, but the siren call for help has yet to quiet. “Even when the firefighters quell the blaze,” Annie warned, a hint of gravity settling in her words, “there’s going to be a slow-motion tragedy continuing to unfold. We’re bound to discover more injured pets, many more. This is just the beginning.” And with that, the emotional weight of the situation bears down, a stark reminder of the resilience needed in the face of unfathomable loss.
As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the wildfires, one thing is clear—community spirit thrives even in chaos. Whether it’s rescuing horses or comforting displaced animals, the heart of the city beats on, resilient and united. Through every sweat and tear, there’s hope—a glimmering beacon amid the ash and smoke, a testament to humanity’s capacity for compassion.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
