Tag Archives: evacuation

Heroic Animal Rescue Efforts Amid Palisades Fire

In Defense of Animals Supports Evacuations & Offers Emergency Care

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In Defense of Animals battled through downed power lines, rockslides, and fallen trees to aid animals, and is offering and seeking help for others. Photo: In Defense of Animals

LOS ANGELES (January, 2025) — As the devastating Palisades Fire and others continue to ravage communities in Los Angeles, In Defense of Animals is taking decisive action to support animal rescuers and provide life-saving aid for animals affected by the crisis. Among the heroic responders is In Defense of Animals board member Sammy Zablen, who has been working tirelessly to evacuate animals from dangerous areas.

On January 8, Zablen responded to a plea from Philozoia animal rescue in Malibu’s Tuna Canyon area to evacuate two ponies from their fire-threatened property. What would normally be a 20-minute drive took over three hours due to extreme conditions, including rockslides, downed trees, and fire debris blocking the route.

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Navigating a treacherous path that included cutting brush and driving on hiking trails, Zablen’s team encountered harrowing obstacles such as a burning power pole, destroyed homes, and vehicles engulfed in flames. Upon arrival, the team discovered the ponies’ corral broken and the animals missing. Despite an active fire and dangerous rockslides, the team searched the area for 30 minutes, leaving food, water, and dousing the roof with water to mitigate further damage. 

The two ponies have now been recovered by Philozia, but two dogs remain missing and the rescue center burned down entirely. Earlier in the day, a pig and 38 dogs were successfully evacuated. Philozoia is seeking urgent foster care for several senior dogs.

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In Defense of Animals is collaborating with multiple local rescuers and organizations. Advanced Fire Rescue and Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue were both vital in coordinating resources and gaining access to this dangerous area.

In Defense of Animals is offering emergency aid to animal rescuers and caregivers affected by the fires and providing free resources for temporary housing and care for wild and domestic animals.

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“The devastation of these fires is unimaginable, and animals are often the most vulnerable victims,” said Marilyn Kroplick M.D., President of In Defense of Animals. “We are deeply grateful for the bravery of responders like Sammy Zablen and the other incredible organizations we are coordinating with to help on the ground. Together, we are making a difference for animals in crisis.”

In Defense of Animals urges anyone needing assistance with animal evacuations or free, temporary housing for wild or domestic animals to call Sammy Zablen at 310-869-2383. Please mention The Silo when contacting.

Los Angelenos who can foster a senior dog are encouraged to apply at www.philozoia.org/foster.

In Defense of Animals is seeking donations which are critical to support these emergency efforts, providing resources such as veterinary supplies, food, water, and temporary shelter: www.idausa.org/lafire For the Silo, Fleur Dawes.

  • Request Fire Assistance: Sammy Zablen, Board Member, 310-869-2383

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi since 1983. www.idausa.org

World’s First Pet Evacuation App

67% of households are home to pets— cats, dogs, and fishes (American Pet Products Association). 

[According to a report, 67% of Canadians feel they live in low to moderate risk areas for natural disasters. In actuality for example, British Columbia is at risk for an earthquake up to magnitude 9.0. In comparison in 2011 it was a mag 9.0 in Japan that created the devastating tsunami.]

Why do we ignore the greatest threats to our pets well being, vulnerability to wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters?

Enter PHaR (Pet Help & Rescue app): the world’s first pet evacuation app.

Using a tight neighbors network, when disasters strike, activate the app, for a dedicated channel to arrange the rescue of your beloved animal companion.

Dave Crawford, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Animal Help Now, helped write the country’s first state legislative bill to double fines for traffic infractions in wildlife crossing zones; spearheaded RMAD’s nationwide boycott of Nalgene water bottles; stopped a multinational organization from building a Plexiglas zoo at Rocky Mountain National Park; and produced the country’s first video exposing conditions inside intensive egg facilities.

Crawford says, “PHaR was produced following the Marshall fire (Boulder County, CO; December 30, 2021), which took the lives of an estimated 1,000 dogs, cats and other pets.

Studies show – as did David’s personal experience in the Marshall Fire – that when disasters strike and you’re not home, your neighbors are your best bet to have your pets evacuated. PHaR is the only app of its kind. Not only in the United States, but in the entire world.”

A view of the destruction post tornado Moore, Oklahoma.

With this animal-focused tech nonprofit app, record and then, when needed, provide to your trusted contacts all the info they need to evacuate your beloved pets, including where their go-bag is, where their meds are, where they hide when scared, and how to get into your home. 

For more info, visit www.AHNow.org www.PHaR.org @animalhelpnow @animalhelpnowapp (IG) @pethelpandrescue

More about the non profit 

Animal Help Now, a nonprofit which operates its namesake wildlife emergency app, created PHaR. The 30-month effort started a week after the Marshall fire and culminated in the nationwide release on July 5, 2024.

Animal Help Now is a volunteer-based nonprofit with a budget under $200,000 USD/ $276,000 CAD. Creating PHaR was possible only because of public support and the dedication, perseverance and hard work of the organization’s mission-driven volunteers.

More about David:

David Crawford is co-founder and executive director of Animal Help Now. Dave has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Mass Communication. He has been working on animal issues since 1989. He is co-founder and former long-time executive director of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense (RMAD). In that role, Dave led one of the most respected and effective regional animal advocacy organizations in the country; he produced the country’s first video exposing conditions inside intensive egg facilities; and he led the successful effort to stop a multinational organization from building a Plexiglas zoo at the Estes Park entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. RMAD also convened the first national conference on prairie dogs – the 2001 Prairie Dog Summit – and was central to the founding of the Prairie Dog Coalition. For the Silo, Kat Fleischman.