Los Angeles barns are becoming modern-day Noah's Arks for animal rescue

Many people have volunteered to help the animals, and now 50 to 100 of them are cleaning the stables, feeding the animals, and spreading hay.

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Photo: BBC
Photo: BBC
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Trailers with hundreds of rescued horses from the Eaton fire and the one in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles they arrive simultaneously.

Some of them only have horses, while others have various other animals.

Many of them arrive with their owners, while others are brought by rescuers or animal protection activists.

One of the horses was actually a rescue, as its owner rode it all the way from Altadena, about a five-hour walk from the stables that will be a temporary home for these animals.

There are also pigs, donkeys and small horses.

In 24 hours, the Los Angeles racetrack became a modern-day Noah's Ark.

Over the past week, hundreds of animals rescued from catastrophic fires have found refuge there, as one of the racecourse's formal roles is to serve as one of the city's largest animal shelters.

In addition to the approximately 500 horses that already reside there, more than 200 more have found a home in the shade of Griffith Park.

There was "chaos" on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, says Jenny Nevin, a spokeswoman for the racecourse.

They registered every horse that arrived so they could later be returned to their owners.

Animal boarding services are free of charge to owners thanks to the support of public donations and people who often donate hay, food, and other supplies.

Sergio Mardijal is one of many who brought animals there after the facilities they were staying in were destroyed and at risk of being damaged.

He and his partner Jenny Bacon went to rescue more than 70 animals in stables in Eaton last week and, as he fought his way through the intense flames, his face mask caught fire, the lenses of his glasses cracked and the frames warped.

As a result, he ended up in the hospital and suffered burns to his lungs and throat from inhaling hot air.

with the BBC

A week later, Martial and Bacon were walking Arthur and Playboy, two miniature horses they had rescued that night, past their home.

Here they are safe from the fire, and they seem calm and friendly despite everything they have been through.

"It still hurts when I swallow. But I would do it all over again, no question," says Martial, pointing to the protective mask he must wear to avoid infection.

Most of the owners of the rescued animals have been found, and several of them were walking their horses around the stables where they are currently housed on Tuesday.

with the BBC

Numerous volunteers care for the animals at the facility, and some of the animals have become well-known in the local community.

Two donkeys, Maurice and Mika, often poke their heads out of the stables, seeking attention.

They came down the mountain with their owner as the Palisades fire approached their home, and the owner recognized them after he spray-painted numbers on their bodies.

"They love it when you sing to them. We simply adopted them and take care of them," says Lucena Herrera, a volunteer at the racetrack.

But there are also plenty of animals whose owners haven't been found yet.

Little mare Izzy doesn't know where her owner is even a week after the fire.

Volunteers are taking care of her together until she finds a permanent home.

Many have volunteered to help the animals, and now 50 to 100 of them clean the stables, feed the animals, spread hay, and sing to Maurice and Mickey when they get nervous, says Nevin.

The most beautiful moments for them are when they watch the reunions of owners and horses, adds London Scott, founder of the local Cali Cowboy Club.

"It's really beautiful. To be able to witness it firsthand and know that you played a small role in bringing a little joy to someone in these tragic times," Scott says.

The owners who come explain how deeply connected they are to the animals, adding that the farms that burned down were oases of peace for them in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

"They are my refuge. We have a connection that I don't have with anything else in this world," describes 42-year-old Catherine Armenta.

Many of them don't know what's next and where they could take their animals after the chaos caused by the fires in Los Angeles.

"I haven't been able to process all this yet. There are 40 horses to take care of."

"When it's all over, I think we'll all have a margarita and have a good cry," Bacon concludes.

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