A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION Vol. 144, Issue 13
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Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Animals endangered by the Sandy Fire take shelter on campus By Daisy Aguinada, Javier Ramirez Editor-in-Chief, Photographer
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vacuated horses, ponies, pigs and donkeys displaced by the Sandy Fire, found temporary shelter in the barns at the Pierce College Equestrian Center on May 21. The evacuation site, operated by Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control in partnership with Pierce, provided food, water, medical attention and stable
boarding for animals during the emergency. Kathleen Domic, a horse owner and Equine Response Team volunteer, said bringing her horses to the Equestrian Center gave her reassurance during the evacuation. “Our horses were in Bell Canyon and we evacuated, I think, Monday night, and we all have a peace of mind having our horses here, and the facility has been great and the volunteers were amazing,” Domic said. Domic said some evacuees traveled from neighboring counties after searching for a safe and accessible location
for their animals. “We’re actually in Ventura, and the Ventura Volunteers of Animal Control wanted to take everybody to the fairgrounds,” Domic said. “And that’s so far for us that we requested Pierce, and they were able to accommodate us.” Christine Quesada, Volunteer Programs director for Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, said the evacuation center was staffed by both county employees and trained volunteers. “I’m responsible for the volunteers here, and they’re called the Equine Response
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Team Volunteers and then we have staff here as well,” Quesada said. Quesada said the center was caring for 49 animals, mostly horses, along with a few donkeys, pigs and ponies evacuated from areas affected by the Sandy Fire, including Bell Canyon and Chesebro. She also emphasized that owners are not charged to keep their animals at the facility and the services are provided by Animal Care and Control. Leah Cohen, communications specialist for Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, said staff
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Jake Gregory / Roundup News
members and volunteers quickly mobilized to support displaced animals during the fire. “Our staff and Equine Response Team volunteers stepped into action without hesitation during the Sandy Fire, working around the clock to ensure evacuated animals were safe and cared for,” Cohen said. “We are also deeply grateful to Pierce College for their partnership and support in helping provide a safe location for displaced large animals during this emergency.”
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