Vet’s brother asked her to care for his cat and rabbit as he fled California wildfires — then she made one heartfelt request that saved 40 more lives

Her brother’s call made her realize there would be many others facing the same struggle and in need of help too.

PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO

(L) A female vet holding a cat. (R) Forest fire. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) ilkermetinkursova, (R) Toa55)

In January 2025, Los Angeles veterinarian Dr. Annie Harvilicz received a call from her brother as he prepared to flee the fast-moving Palisades Fire in California. He asked if she could take care of his cat and rabbit while he evacuated. What started as a simple favor soon turned into something far bigger. The vet made one heartfelt decision that ended up saving dozens of lives.

Photograph of wildfires. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Soly Moses)

As reported by The New York Post, Dr. Harvilicz, 47, runs two animal hospitals in the Los Angeles area. When the wildfire began spreading rapidly, forcing thousands to evacuate, she decided to open her home and an unused veterinary hospital to pets displaced by the fire. “I had a family bring in 10 dogs, and they had to leave behind their horses,” she shared with the news channel. “To me, this is a no-brainer. I looked around and said, ‘I have a lot of space here. I can help.’” Within hours, her Animal Wellness Center in Marina del Rey was filled with frightened but safe animals, about 20 dogs, 20 cats, and a single rabbit named Oreo.

A senior pet dog with a vet. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | AJ_Watt) — A senior pet dog with a vet. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | AJ_Watt)

The vet worked tirelessly as the flames spread just 12 miles away, blanketing the sky in smoke and ash. “I haven’t slept at all and my eyes are hurting from the smoke,” she admitted. “I do it because I love animals and want to take care of them.” Along with her hospital staff and volunteers, she cared for the rescued pets around the clock. The animals included a cat named Pumpkin and a Pit Bull named Daisy. But not every rescue story had a happy ending. “One woman asked me to help with her nine donkeys, and the problem was she didn’t have trailers,” Harvilicz recalled sadly. “They had to release them, and they most likely didn't make it. The real animal tragedy is the large animals.”

A pet cat getting treatment at a vet clinic. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | xavierarnau)

It all began after her brother’s call inspired her to think of others in the same situation. “I said, ‘There are gonna be more people like my brother who need help,’” she shared. So, she posted a message on Facebook offering space for evacuees’ pets, “I have an empty old vet hospital in Marina del Rey. I am happy to house any animals that need to be evacuated,” per the Los Angeles Times. Soon, calls and messages began flooding in, not only from pet owners in need but also from volunteers offering to help.

Harvilicz, who also runs the Animal Wellness Foundation, said many owners had multiple pets and could not take them to hotels or shelters. “They might be able to take one dog or cat to a hotel but not two or three,” she commented. “If you have a pet that needs help, please reach out to a vet even if you think you can’t afford care. There are vets like myself who are willing to help.” By midweek, the Palisades Fire had burned through more than 15,000 acres and claimed at least two lives. Despite the exhaustion and the smoke, Harvilicz kept going. Her simple promise to care for two pets grew into a rescue mission that saved over 40 animals.