Dr. Sehaj Grewal talks Veterinary Practice, Charity Work, and Pet Safety during California Wildfires

Interview written by Sari Cohen

The Melrose Vet; Dr. Sehaj Grewal started a veterinary practice in West Hollywood in 2021, focusing on personalized care and building a loyal client base. “I was seeing trends towards corporate, non-personalized care that practices provide to pets and their owners, so I created something people can connect with, and in doing so, I’ve built something special from the ground up,” he tells the LA Inquisitor.

The West Hollywood vet is also involved in charity work, volunteering at Skid Row with an organization called Underdog Community Project, a non-profit that provides free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness and low income in Los Angeles. “I try to help and give back to the community,” Dr. Grewal explained. “Recently, we had these fires, so I was offering free boarding to all the pets whose owners had to be evacuated.”

When the 2025 California wildfires occurred, affecting areas such as the Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena, Dr. Grewal stepped up in a remarkable way, organizing efforts through mass email and social media. “I thought, how can someone care for an animal without a home? So, we offered to house animals while their owners got back on their feet. I knew the best I could do is try to make a difference in at least one person’s life.”

Dr. Grewal says what he has seen since the fires is a lot of displacement. “The first few weeks of January, we gave discounts to anyone who needed them, especially if they were affected by the fires. We’re available to help people if it still comes to that. I think people are trying to rebuild now, and it’s not going to happen overnight. It will take time, and we understand that times are tough,” he shared.

Dr. Grewal continues to provide discounts and support to affected pet owners, prioritizing safety and rebuilding efforts in the area. He now lends his voice, offering tips during wildfires, including what happens with toxic chemicals and how to treat your pets if you think they may have come in contact with anything poisonous. “There are a lot of toxic areas that could affect animals, especially if they ingest debris or a toxic product that can cause health issues,” he warned. “If a fire happens, we want to escape the source because the smoke and ash can cause respiratory issues. Animals can suffer from burns, too. If anything like that does happen, take them to your nearest vet. Keep your pet away from water sources or grass in the affected areas,” he adds. “You don’t want to go near those burn areas until things get cleaned up properly. When things get burnt, especially homes, they leave a lot of chemicals behind. Vegetation that has been treated with pesticides, even fertilizers, can upset their stomach or irritate their skin if animals ingest it. Certain plants are also toxic. Sometimes, standing water can be toxic and cause liver issues. I would urge all pet owners to be aware of their environment.”

If you think your pet may have been exposed to poison, Dr. Grewal says that hydrogen peroxide can help to induce vomiting in an emergency. Always take them to the nearest vet immediately to properly evaluate and rehydrate when necessary.

As Dr. Grewal continues to advise on keeping pets safe, his underlying mission is still the same as when he started this journey. He hopes to change the landscape of veterinary medicine by providing personalized care and support.

Photography by: Rowan Daly