Longtime Malibu resident and business owner Sherman Baylin and her crew have been working to rescue horses from the Sand Fire in Santa Clarita, about 50 miles away from Malibu. After the facilities at the county shelter in Lancaster and the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds filled up with nearly 350 horses, plus goats, chickens and pigs, the LA County staff began sending them closer to Malibu.
A total of 19 rescued horses and three goats are currently sheltering at Pierce College, and two horses have come to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, so far. Baylin described her current state as “exhausted.”
Denise Rosen, manager of LA County’s Agoura Hills Animal Care Center, said she is just now beginning to receive animals from the fire, and added that most of her staff has been redirected by the county to help with animal rescues from the Sand Fire.
“We’re stretched really thin right now,” Rosen said. “There are now 700 pets at all of the county sheltering sites.”
Rosen said that anyone wishing to help can send online donations to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation at lacountyanimals.org/noahs.html.
Donors should specify that they want the funds going to “Noah’s Legacy” — a special fund for evacuated animals, burn care and more. It helps to provide food, shelter and medical care for all pets needing shelter during a disaster, and also helps reunite pets with their families. Checks can also be mailed to the address given online, or dropped off at Sherman’s Place, located at 29575 Pacific Coast Highway.
Baylin said anyone who has extra halters and lead ropes for horses can also drop them off at Sherman’s Place.