Many In Defense of Animals staff are based in Los Angeles and we have been deeply affected by the fires. Some were forced to flee with their animals and suffered terrible personal tragedies, while others were able to mount urgent animal rescue missions.

When disaster strikes, we save lives and offer hope to the vulnerable. Joining forces with other local organizations, we continue to rescue, care for, and rehome animals impacted by these fires. Please watch our rescue mission video to see the extraordinary efforts we’ve made to save lives and provide hope.

Day 1: Pony Rescue Mission

On the first morning after the fire broke out, our board member Sammy Zablen got an urgent call from Malibu’s Tuna Canyon area, where Philozoia’s rescue center was under siege by flames. We organized a team including Advanced Fire Rescue and Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue to undertake the mission.

High winds buffeted our truck and felled a tree just yards ahead, stopping our progress. A downed power pole blocked another route, forcing us to use a hiking trail.

Embers rained down around us and the journey was fraught with danger. It took 3 hours to travel the 20-minute journey to reach the rescue center.

What we found upon our arrival was a scene of active devastation. The rescue center was on fire, and the ponies’ corral was broken. The animals were missing. Undeterred, we left food and water and continued the search. Thanks to our collective efforts, the ponies were safely recovered later that day, though the center itself was lost entirely to the fire, causing over $50,000 in damage to just one of the four buildings.

Day 2: Dog & Pig Evacuation

The second morning after the fire broke out, we worked with Philozoia to evacuate animals from Agoura Hills Animal Rescue. This mission involved relocating Bruce the dog and Frank the pig to a foster home in Burbank, thanks to a compassionate couple who offered to take them in.

We took another dog, Cedric, to Animal Wellness Center in Marina Del Ray, which opened up the doors of an abandoned veterinary clinic to provide shelter and safety. 

A Tragic Personal Loss

The fires have touched us all, but for Lisa Levinson, our renowned and beloved Campaigns Director, the tragedy has been deeply personal. Lisa’s long-time partner, Arthur Simoneau, a hang-gliding pioneer and dedicated advocate for animals and the environment, lost his life in the Palisades inferno. His home was destroyed, and Arthur leaves behind a son, Andre.

We are holding Lisa, Arthur’s family, and all affected in our hearts. You can support Arthur’s family here.

Our Ongoing Fire Rescue Efforts

Since the fires broke out, we have been coordinating with our kind friends and trusted partners inside and outside the affected areas to get animals to safety and shelter.

We have rushed urgent aid to partners like Philozoia, Animal Wellness Foundation, and Kinship Circle to get emergency rescue, medical aid, food, and shelter to needy animals.

Resources for Animals in Need

We continue to offer our services to help families and their animal companions through these difficult times.

• Free Pet Pantry for Displaced Families
  Anyone displaced by the fires or suddenly out of work can visit Animal Wellness Foundation’s “Free Pet Store” to access donated pet products and food. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at: 4053 Lincoln Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292.
  
  
• Evacuation & Rescue Support
  If you need evacuation assistance or rescue support for animals, contact Sammy Zablen at 310-869-2383 to coordinate aid.
  
  
• Emotional & Spiritual Aid
  For activists and guardians experiencing stress or trauma, our Activist Support Line is available. Call 1-800-705-0425 or contact us here for compassionate, confidential support.

How You Can Help

The most direct and effective way to help is with a gift. Your support fuels these life-saving efforts. Every dollar provides food, shelter, and medical care for animals in distress:

• $25: Offers emergency food and water.
• $100: Covers medical treatments for burns and respiratory injuries.
• $500: Funds rescue missions and temporary housing.

The Hidden Truth About Fires & Disasters

Wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events are getting more common and more severe. A significant cause of the climate crisis and animal cruelty is animal agriculture. 

Our response to the fires must go deeper than simply firefighting:

“These fires are fueled by climate change and climate change is fueled by industrial practices — most notably, animal agriculture. The destruction caused by these fires is a stark reminder of the urgent need to reevaluate our relationship with the planet and its inhabitants.”

— Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, President of In Defense of Animals

What YOU Can Do

Here’s how you can support animals and their guardians during this crisis:

1. Donate to Animals: Provide critical supplies like food, medical care, and shelter. Donate now.
2. Foster or Adopt: Offer a home to animals like Bruce, Cedric, and Frank. Apply at Philozoia.org.
3. Go Vegan: Tackle the root cause of climate crisis and animal suffering in one: idausa.org/veganguide