The trailers arrived all at once, carrying hundreds of horses fleeing the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles.
Some horses came alone, others in trailers full of animals. Many had their owners, but others arrived on their own, brought by their rescuers or animal control. One horse, according to volunteers, actually carried its owner all the way from Altadena — a five-hour walk. Pigs, donkeys and miniature horses followed.
Within 24 hours, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center was transformed into a modern-day Noah’s Ark. Over the past week, he has protected hundreds of animals from disaster as part of his official role at one of the city’s major animal shelters.
The facility, tucked in the shadow of Griffith Park, has housed more than 200 horses, on top of the approximately 500 horses already living there.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday were “chaos,” said Jennie Nevin, spokeswoman for the equestrian center. The facility cataloged each horse that arrived, ensuring they could be reunited. Sheltering the animals did not cost the owners, thanks to the support of public donations and frequent deliveries of free hay, food and other necessities.
Sergio Marcial was one of dozens of people who brought animals here after their facilities were destroyed or threatened.
A week ago, he and his girlfriend Jenny Bacon raced to help save more than 70 animals from Eaton Dam Stableas he battled flames so strong that his face mask caught fire and his glasses shattered and distorted.
His efforts landed him in the hospital, his lungs and throat burned after inhaling the burning air.
A week later, Mr Marcial, 29, and Ms Bacon, 30, walked Arthur and Playboy – the two miniature horses he helped rescue that night – around their new home. Here they were safe from the fire, and seemed calm and friendly in spite of all they had suffered.
“It still hurts to swallow,” Mr. Marcial said, pointing to the face mask he must wear to prevent infections. “I would do it all over again – no doubt about it.”
Most of the owners of the foster animals have been identified, and several owners spent Tuesday afternoon walking their horses around the stables.
Dozens of volunteers took care of the other animals staying at the center. Some have become local celebrities.
Two donkeys, Morris and Mika, often poked their heads out of their stalls for attention. They fled down the mountain with their owner as the Palisades fire approached, and were reunited as he spray-painted his number on their sides.
“They like you to sing to them,” volunteer Lucena Herrera said. “We were all just adopting them and taking care of them.”
But a handful of animals still haven’t been claimed. A miniature horse named Izzy still hasn’t found her owner a week after the fire. Volunteers collectively adopted her until she found a new, permanent home.
So many volunteers showed up to help the animals that staff had to turn some away, Ms Nevin said. Between 50-100 volunteers were now raking stalls, feeding animals, spreading hay and serenading Morris and Mika when they got nervous.
Watching owners reunite with their horses was one of the most rewarding experiences for the volunteers, said London Scott, founder of the local Cali Cowboy Club.
“It’s a really beautiful process that you go through,” Ms. Scott said, “To be able to see it first hand and know that you played a small part in someone having some peace in a tragic time.”
Here, they describe a deep connection with their animals and say the burned-out farms are a place of peace in this bustling urban area.
“They are my safe place,” said Catherine Armenta (42). “It’s like a connection, a connection that I don’t really have with anything else on this planet.”
Many of those here don’t know what will happen next, where they might take their animals after the chaos of the wildfires raging in the Los Angeles region is over.
“I haven’t even been able to process any of this. There are 40 horses to take care of,” Ms Bacon said. “When it’s all said and done, I think we’re all going to go get some margaritas and just have a good cry.”
