❤️🐾 A pawprint on the heart

It’s been nearly impossible to turn on the news this week without seeing the devastation raging through Los Angeles. But as local officials and fire departments continue to fight the burning flames, stories of hope and community are emerging from the ashes.

Annie Harvilicz is a veterinarian who runs two animal hospitals in the LA area. When Annie’s brother called her in a panic asking if she could board his cat and his bunny as he and his family evacuated, she said yes without hesitation. She happened to be in the middle of relocating one of the offices and had a nearly empty animal hospital where she could safely keep them.

...and then she had an idea💡. Annie opened her doors free of charge to any pets that needed shelter as their owners evacuated, posting on Facebook in an effort to get the word out to her community.

As she expected, requests from grateful pet owners came pouring in, taking Annie up on her offer. What she was more surprised by, however, were the hundreds of emails from potential volunteers and people willing to help care for the animals however they could.

• “For every person who needed help, there were 50 people offering to help,” she said. “It brings tears to my eyes.”
• Annie took in more than 40 animals before the fires ravaged their neighborhoods, setting up drop-offs and pick-ups and enlisting volunteers for playtime, dog walks, and more.

The veterinarian is also using this opportunity to urge families to keep their pets with them as they evacuate, claiming that many rentals and hotels will take them in in response to the emergency conditions.

“People love animals,” she told the Washington Post. “They’re such amazing beings, and they touch the hearts of so many people. That just comes out so beautifully when there is a time of tragedy.”

Thousands of people have been affected or lost their homes to the California wildfires. If you’re able, consider donating to aid support here.