Southern California residents have been rescuing animals from the wildfires that have killed 27 people and displaced many more, with the Pasadena Humane Society taking in at least 610 animals since the fires broke out. Evacuation orders have affected approximately 33,000 people, with some animals being killed by the fires. Independent groups and individuals have stepped in to help rescue animals, including Vera Valdivia-Abdallah and her daughter, who run a horse rescue and have been rescuing horses from fires for years.

Cole Bush, a livestock owner, has also been helping animals evacuate by coordinating a group equipped with trailers, trucks, and helping hands. Her team has been rescuing animals from areas affected by the wildfires, including sheep, horses, ducks, and chickens. Bush has launched the Ojai Horse and Herd Network to help connect livestock handlers with those who can offer assistance during the ongoing disasters and in the future.

The Ojai Horse and Herd Network operates as a directory for livestock handlers, connecting those in need with those who can offer help. The network has already raised over $28,000 to feed and shelter animals and people affected by the wildfires. Bush believes that animals are essential to our lives and understanding our part in the natural world, and she emphasizes the importance of helping animals in need during and after natural disasters.