When disaster strikes, it often highlights both the vulnerability of life and the resilience of the human spirit. Among the silent victims of wildfires are horses, majestic gentle creatures whose safety depends on the people who care for them. Unlike dogs or cats, horses cannot be easily placed in vehicles and driven to safety. When flames roar across the mountains, the evacuation of horses becomes a race against time. Their size, strength, and sensitive nature make emergency evacuation especially challenging. Local animal rescue organizations and horse communities often step in, forming convoys to transport horses out of danger. These efforts highlight the importance of preparation, something not all owners have time for when disasters strike unexpectedly.

Photo credit: Above, left Los Angeles County Fire Department, above center, right Los Angeles Times

Several wildfires erupted throughout southern California this week. One such fire was the Palisades Fire, which broke out Tuesday morning, January 7th, near the Southeast of Palisades Drive in Pacific Palisades, CA. CalFire is reporting that the Palisades Fire is currently over 20,000 acres and is 8% contained. Members of our Ventura County Humane Animal Rescue Team (VC HART) were ready to spring into action, offering evacuation and transport assistance and a safe haven for displaced animals. On the evening of Thursday, January 9th, HSVC took in three horses that had been evacuated from the active Palisades Fire. A dedicated team of HSVC staff worked late into the night to ensure the animals were safely received, comforted and cared for upon their arrival. Way to go, team!

The evacuated horses will remain at the shelter until they can be safely returned to their owners. Our shelter happily provides food, medical care, and boarding services to evacuated animals in need at no cost to their owners. We can only do this thanks to the support of our generous community, so thank you, donors! A big thank you also goes out to Oak Restorative Ranch for their help in caring for our newest barn residents. In addition to mucking stalls and feeding, their group filled in the holes in our stalls to make it safer for the equine under our care. They worked tirelessly all morning to make sure our barn was ready to take in additional evacuees if needed. Thank you again, Oak Restorative Ranch!

Our hearts go out to those affected by these disasters. If you live in an affected area by any of the fires and need temporary emergency housing for your domestic or large animals, please call the shelter at 805-646-6505. Note that space is limited. We're here to help in any way that we can! Be sure to have an emergency go-bag packed for you and your pets, and have an evacuation plan if you need to leave quickly. You can never be too prepared! Please visit vcemergency.com for live updates and more information. Stay safe, everyone!