On the morning of Jan. 7 2025, a fire was ignited within Topanga State Park. By the end of that same day, a state of emergency had been declared, and large-scale evacuation orders were issued. Over two weeks later, the palisades wildfire is still burning. The The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website warns residents of the area that the fire is an “immediate threat to life,” and even leaves a “lawful order to LEAVE NOW.” Also seen on the website is a hotline for missing pets and a list of animal evacuation shelters, most of which are listed as full capacity. These animal evacuation shelters provide safety and food for the pets of the Palisades residents. While it is urged that anyone evacuating focuses solely on their own life or the lives of their children, many worry about what will happen to their pets.
In a viral NBC News clip, Casey Colvin, a Palisades resident, is reunited with his pet dogs after leaving them behind. In a last-minute evacuation, it was decided to let the dogs run free in hopes that they would know to avoid the fires. After returning to his neighborhood, Colvin stumbles across one of his dogs, and is ecstatic to find that it survived. Eventually, both dogs found their way back to their owner, leaving the family united but without a home.
All animal shelters in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas are working over capacity. Some pets were even evacuated to the surrounding states. According to CBS, a group of volunteer pilots organized under the name ‘Wings of Rescue’, flew 176 shelter dogs and cats from the palisades to Fort Worth, Texas. This was only part of the efforts made to clear Los Angeles shelters in hopes that the now-open spaces could be used to save more animals.
Within Los Angeles and the areas, LA animal services has conducted welfare checks on around 200 animals who may have been affected by the fires. They have also asked those unaffected by the fires to look into adopting or fostering animals that are being held within the many overflowing shelters.
It is possible for anyone to assist in providing shelter for these animals, even from across the country. A quick internet search can provide numerous links to aid the recovery of the palisades in general. While the loss facing the residents of the Palisades is invaluable, the LA community is ensuring that their beloved pets will be saved.
