In January 2025, a series of wildfires devastated the Los Angeles area, destroying homes and displacing thousands of residents and animals. While the fires have now been fully contained, the recovery is ongoing, with relief efforts continuing and expanding as communities work to recover and rebuild.
Our fellow horsemen and women have faced the challenge and uncertainty of evacuating with their animals. As one of the main evacuation sites, the L.A. Equestrian Center (LAEC) housed over 360 evacuated animals, including horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, and goats. From the very first evacuations, hundreds of volunteers from the community came together to provide hands-on-care, organize supplies, and assist displaced animals and their owners.
Stable Support was founded to provide support and relief to those affected by the devastating L.A. wildfires.
Out of these grassroots efforts came Stable Support, launched by L.A. resident and horsewoman Hanna Ketai. Stable Support is a project dedicated to coordinating direct aid and essential supplies for evacuated horses and their owners impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires.
“From the beginning of the fires, I showed up at the [L.A. Equestrian Center] to help out,” Hanna recalled. “Volunteers Carla Jo Bailey and Maddy Haim stepped into leadership roles to organize efforts at the center. They told me to just show up and do whatever was needed!” Hanna said.
As she began to act as one of the liaisons between evacuees and donation efforts, Hanna recognized a critical gap in equestrian-specific supplies. That realization led to the creation of Stable Support.
“Horse supplies are incredibly specific, and I kept seeing ongoing unmet needs,” Hanna explained. “Through Stable Support, I’m organizing wish lists for each evacuee to ensure they receive exactly what they need. It’s like a wedding registry but for donations!”
Stable Support allows donors to purchase items directly from an online list, ensuring their contributions go exactly where they’re needed. There is also an option to donate via Venmo, with funds used to fulfill remaining wishlist items.
Currently, seventeen different barns and individual locations affected by the fires are supported through Stable Support, with new additions being added to the registry as more people find out about the organization.
While Hanna didn’t have to evacuate herself, she was encouraged to prepare. With her personal horse, Riva, it was hard for Hanna as a new horse owner, without a truck and trailer, to think through options if she did have to leave. However, through the experience of lending a hand at the center, Hanna realized the strength in the community around her.
“Building the relationships with the people who have survived the fires, and making really special connections with their horses as well has been a silver lining of this incredibly tragic experience. It’s truly inspiring to see everyone coming together, pitching in, and supporting one another. I went into this experience with this fear of how am I going to get my single horse out of here if the fire hits, and I’ve come out of it with a huge community and feeling supported throughout, which has inspired me to give back and make a difference where I can,” Hanna described.
Stable Support founder Hanna Ketai with Lilly Belle (left) and Hope (right).
One particularly meaningful connection has been with Rebekah Mendez and her miniature therapy horse, Hope, whose mate, Promise, tragically passed away from smoke inhalation during the fires. This week, thanks to Stable Support, Hope received much-needed medications, supplements, and tack from the registry – a small but vital step in helping both Hope and Rebekah rebuild after their heartbreaking loss.
Stable Support has raised over $2,800 so far. To fulfill all the current wishlist items, an additional $14,600 is needed, with new needs continuing to emerge. “It’s going to take people a long time to realize what they’ve lost, and rebuilding will take even longer,” Hanna shared. “This goal is just the minimum – every dollar raised will go directly to the survivors.”
To support these efforts, please consider contributing to relief efforts through Stable Support’s website, Venmo, or through sharing their work on social media.
