“You’re Alive!”: Los Angeles Resident Reunites With Dogs After Fire Burns His Home
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An Angeleno went viral on social media after desperately trying to get home to his house in the Pacific Palisades and rescue his dogs during the Los Angeles wildfires.
Hero image credit: NBC News
As the Los Angeles wildfires raged, Casey Colvin faced every dog guardian’s worst nightmare: his two dogs, Oreo and Tika Tika Tika, were trapped at home in the Pacific Palisades while he was stuck in the city for work. When the fires broke out, mandatory evacuation checkpoints and barricades prevented Colvin from returning to save his dogs.
Desperation led him to rent a bike in a frantic attempt to reach his home and bring Oreo and Tika Tika Tika to safety as traffic piled up, but despite his efforts, he couldn’t get through. A heart-wrenching video of Colvin sobbing as he contemplated his dogs’ fate has since gone viral, resonating with animal guardians everywhere who could feel his anguish.
“I literally rescued them off the streets, they deserve better than this,” Colvin sobbed to NBC News reporter Liz Kreutz. “How do I get to my house?”
After hours of sheer agony, Chief Brent Pascua of the California Fire Battalion bravely stepped in to help, but Oreo, who Colvin described as behavioral, got loose and ran away as the fire rapidly approached. Within hours, Colvin’s home was engulfed in flames and completely destroyed.
Against all odds, Oreo survived. Over the next five days, he was spotted twice in the charred neighborhood, once sleeping in the rubble of a neighbor’s home, according to NBC News reporter Liz Kreutz. Finally, after days of searching and heartbreak, Colvin and Oreo were reunited.
Watch the unforgettable moment Colvin saw Oreo for the first time since the fires, captured by NBC News, below (with a box of tissues):
According to Colvin, without the heroic effort of Battalion Chief Brent Pascua, Oreo and Tika Tika Tika would have died as the fire ravaged his home.
“This guy saved your life,” Colvin screamed emphatically when he was reunited with Chief Pascua. “When I first met you, I was in the middle of a crisis… I was in the middle of a firestorm, and my dogs would have died if not for you.”
While Colvin’s story has a happy ending, many other Angelenos are still facing immense heartbreak. Our hearts go out to those who were unable to reach their homes before evacuation orders, unsure of the fate of their beloved companions. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the tireless rescue teams who are searching devastated areas, offering care to animals suffering from fire-related injuries, and to the brave people who are on the frontlines fighting the flames.
However, this disaster proved the need for disaster preparedness plans for both families and the federal government. Some Angelenos didn’t know where to turn for shelters with their companion animals, so animal rescues stepped in to help. Pasadena Humane, which is doing critical work rescuing wild animals and companion animals badly burned, opened its doors to anyone needing emergency shelter for their dogs and cats while displaced.
The shelter quickly became overwhelmed, and its staff continues to work around the clock, caring for more than 400 animals. This number is likely to rise as rescue operations expand into fire zones.
Thankfully, as the brave firefighters continue to contain the fires around Los Angeles, some animals in Pasadena Humane’s care have already been reunited with their families, reminding us of the resilience that is the city of Los Angeles.
World Animal Protection US remains steadfast in our commitment to helping animals in disasters like this. With more than seven decades of experience in animal rescue during climate-related crises, we’ve activated our Disaster Response Fund to support rescue operations across California. Organizations such as Pasadena Humane, Best Friends Animal Society, San Diego Humane Society, and Wetlands and Wildlife Care are receiving critical funding to save lives and provide care.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area and need assistance, please see the following resources:
- California Wildfire Emergency Animal Shelters and Rescues: A compiled list of emergency shelters and rescues helping wild and companion animals affected by the California wildfires.
- Emergency Preparedness Plans for Companion Animals: Tips to make sure you and your family, including your companion animals, are prepared for the most unpredictable tragedies.
- Protecting Companion Animals and Wildlife During Wildfires: A guide to help protect both companion animals and wild animals during wildfire season.
- VegOut Los Angeles: A compiled list of free or reduced climate-friendly plant-based meals for evacuees and first responders.
- California Wildfire Response Fund: Your gift will go to our partners on the ground to provide direct animal relief and rescue.
To stay updated on our rescue partners in real-time, please follow us on Instagram.