Trailers carrying hundreds of horses fleeing the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles arrived together.
Some horses came alone, others in trailers full of companion animals. Many had their owners, but others arrived alone, brought in by their rescuers or animal control. According to volunteers, one horse actually carried its owner from Altadena — a five-hour walk. Pigs, donkeys and small horses followed him.
Within 24 hours, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center was transformed into a modern-day Noah’s Ark. Over the past week, it has rescued hundreds of animals from disaster as part of its official role as one of the city’s major animal shelters.
The facility, set in the shadow of Griffith Park, has taken in more than 200 horses, including about 500 already.
Equestrian center spokeswoman Jenny Niven said last Tuesday and Wednesday were “chaos”. The facility cataloged each horse that arrived, ensuring they could be reunited. Thanks to public donations and frequent drops of free hay, feed and other supplies, sheltering the animals came at no cost to the owners.
Sergio Marshall was one of dozens who brought animals here after their facilities were destroyed or threatened.
A week ago, he and his girlfriend Jenny Bacon ran to help save more than 70 animals. Eaton Dam Stables fighting flames so fierce that his face mask caught fire and his glasses shattered and shattered.
His efforts landed him in the hospital, with burns to his lungs and throat after inhaling the burning air.
A week later, Mr Marshall, 29, and Miss Bacon, 30, walked Arthur and Playboy – two miniature horses she helped rescue that night – around their new home. Here, they were safe from the fire, and despite everything they endured, they seemed calm and friendly.
“It still hurts to swallow,” Mr. Marcial said, pointing to the face mask he needs to wear to prevent infection. “I’d do it all over again — no question.”
The owners of most of the shelter animals have been identified, and several owners spent Tuesday afternoon walking their horses around the stables.
Dozens of volunteers cared for the other animals living at the center. Some had become local celebrities.
Two donkeys, Morris and Mika, often poked their heads out of their stables to seek attention. They had run down the mountain with their owner as the Palisades fire approached, and were reunited as he spray-painted his number on their sides.
“They love for you to sing to them,” volunteer Lucina Herrera said. “We’re all just embracing them and taking care of them.”
But a handful of animals are still unclaimed. A little horse named Izzy was still missing his owner a week after the fire. Volunteers collectively adopted him until he could find a new, permanent home.
Miss Niven said so many volunteers came to help the animals that staff had to pull back. Between 50-100 volunteers now set up stalls, fed the animals, raked the grass and serenaded Morris and Mika when they got angry.
London Scott, founder of the local Cali Cowboy Club, said seeing owners reunited with their horses was one of the most valuable experiences for volunteers.
“It’s a really beautiful process to go through,” Ms. Scott said, “to be able to see it first-hand, and to know that in a tragic moment in time you have a little bit of peace of mind in someone. It was a small part.”
People here describe a deep connection with their animals and say that the fields that have burned are a place of peace in this bustling metropolitan area.
“They are my safe place,” said Catherine Armenta, 42. “It’s like a bond, a connection that I don’t really have with anything else on this planet.”
Many visitors don’t know what’s next, where they can take their animals after the chaos of wildfires around the Los Angeles area is over.
“I haven’t been able to process any of it. There are 40 horses to look after,” Ms Bacon said. “When all is said and done, I think we’re all going to get a margarita and just have a good cry.”
