LAEC Becomes a Refuge During the LA Fires
An article by Jennie Nevin, Executive Director of Business Development & Communications - Los Angeles Equestrian Center
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, as the winds blew and LA fires raged, The Los Angeles Equestrian Center was activated by the Office of Emergency Management and the LA Fire Department as an Official Evacuation Site for horses and large animals. Trailers of horses, pigs, goats, sheep, and donkeys started arriving, some with their owners and some without. Within the first 24 hours we had 300 animals and by the end of that week we reached capacity at 408 evacuated animals.
The LA City Animal Services team along with the center’s management team, site crew, and multiple community volunteers began getting all the animals logged and safely into stalls with fresh hay, water, and bedding. Truckloads of donated feed, hay, shavings, and supplies started pouring in right away as well as pallets of carrots, water and snacks for the evacuees and support teams.
Over 1500 volunteers served during the few weeks and our food and beverage team cooked over 2000 meals. Local community members and businesses donated doughnuts, pizzas, sandwiches, and even special vegan meals. We stood together as a community to provide a safe place and refuge from the storm for those fleeing the fires, many who had lost everything.
We ♥ LA!
To support our ongoing emergency response efforts, you can donate here:
Donate — The Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center is a 75-acre property in the heart of Griffith Park and Burbank/Glendale Rancho Community. We are home to over 400 horses that board here and serve the community with 20 horse shows each year, a riding school on site, and special events like movies under the stars, weddings, conferences, and concerts.
Additional Press Coverage linked below:
