In just under a month, Isa and Aradhana's fundraiser raised more than $5,000. Image by Israel Meave

People weren’t the only ones who suffered life-altering changes during the Los Angeles-area wildfires in January. Thousands of animals were displaced, injured and in urgent need of care.

In response to the fires, Aradhana and Isa Bhandary, a mother-daughter real estate team at Rod Aluisi Real Estate, launched an initiative to help support LA Animal Services, one of the largest and most progressive animal shelter systems in the United States. Their campaign aimed to raise funds to assist with the immediate needs of the animals affected by the fires.

Growing up in Nepal, Aradhana had five dogs and several other animals. She and her husband moved to Fresno from Orlando when Isa was 5 years-old.

“Our furry friends affected by the devastating fires all over LA County need us… Let’s come together and help those that aren’t able to help themselves. No donation is too small. ALL donations will be going directly to LA Animal Services,” they wrote on their GoFundMe page, which opened Jan. 21 and closed in mid-February.

In just under a month, the fundraiser raised more than $5,000 in support. The funds were used to purchase essential items from LA Animal Services’ wish list, including medical supplies, incubators and other high-priority items for both household and farm animals.

Aradhana and Isa’s decision to support LA Animal Services was motivated by the shelter system’s work on behalf of displaced and rescued animals.

Isa, who attended college at Loyola Marymount and worked with the brokerage Douglas Elliman Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, had several friends in close proximity to the fires.

“My sister goes to school down there, so that was really scary to us,” Isa said. “So as we’re tracking it, we’re seeing these images of the animals being found in the rubble burned and in critical condition and separated from their owners. Thankfully, some shelters were helping out with that and taking them in, but the separation is happening, and it’s a helpless feeling.”

After raising $5,000, Isa drove to East Valley LA Animal Services to deliver the check. An Instagram post announcing the donation said that $4,989.12 was donated in items and $11 was a monetary donation.

Items purchased and donated include a medical incubator, heart rate monitors, a water distiller, dog and cat beds and more.

As part of their long-term vision, Aradhana and Isa now hope to bring similar support to Fresno.

They recognize that Fresno also faces challenges related to animal welfare. The two are interested in exploring ways to extend this model to Fresno and raising awareness about the ongoing needs of local shelters, which often struggle with overpopulation and resource shortages.

One issue they want to address is animal dumping, which remains a significant problem in rural areas around Fresno. As more animals are abandoned or left in unsafe environments, shelters become overwhelmed, and resources become limited.

Any future updates regarding their plans in Fresno can be found on their Instagram page, @sellingcentralvalley.