Discover the best animal sanctuaries Southern California has to offer.
Like everyone else, I’ve changed a little over the years. My taste in fashion has evolved (and for good reason!), and I’m more open to types of music I swore I didn’t like as a teenager. But one thing hasn’t changed about me in these 30-something years: My love for animals.
I began volunteering with animals in 5th grade. There’s a photo of me on the street corner with a dog and a sign begging for money to benefit a rescue. When I moved to Los Angeles, I was overwhelmed by the animal sanctuaries in the area. After doing some research, I was thrilled to become a dedicated volunteer and foster relationships with the people and animals alike.
By now, we’ve all seen “Tiger King” or “Chimp Crazy,” which taught us the difference between ethical and unethical animal sanctuaries. I refuse to give my money or time to an organization that isn’t doing right by its animals.
Rest assured, each one of these sanctuaries deserves your support. All of these safe animal spaces offer tours, and I highly recommend them if you are in Southern California.
A short drive from Los Angeles:
1. Animal Tracks Inc
Location: 10234 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91390
Animal Tracks Inc is a non-profit animal sanctuary dedicated to an overlooked cause: Animals confiscated by the state or retiring from the entertainment industry. Although monkeys, foxes, and kangaroos are illegal to own in California, the law doesn’t stop people from trying. When removed by the local government, or when they become too much for their owners to handle, there are few places for them to go. This is where Animal Tracks comes in.
Stacy Gunderson, an incredible animal advocate, runs the sanctuary and works tirelessly for the animals in her care. If true animal whisperers exist, Gunderson is the prime example. She has never said no to an animal in need. Whether it’s someone looking to rehome their aggressive fennec fox or a monkey retiring from a life on the screen, they have a home here.
These animals have become reliant on human interaction. A monkey raised in a diaper in someone’s home can’t acclimate to a random troop at the zoo. We all know social groups are hard to break into, but it’s seriously difficult for monkeys. Gunderson’s dedication to each animal’s unique needs is a testament to the ethical nature behind Animal Tracks.
Plus, this allows their personalities to blossom. Some stars of the show are Chrissy, a baboon retired from an acting career who wins everyone over with her incredible love for all living things. Frank the armadillo plays basketball. Mischief the serval jumps several feet in the air to catch his favorite prey: a plastic bag on a stick.
The animals are the draw, but the lessons visitors leave with are priceless. Gunderson’s core mission is conservation and keeping wild animals out of people’s homes. The tours are enlightening, thoughtful, and, with this cast of crew and volunteers, hilarious.
Animal Tracks offers tours Friday- Sunday, with private tours available. Ticket prices, experiences, and hours vary by day. Information can be found online. If you want to learn why wolves don’t make good pets or how someone kept a kangaroo in their LA backyard, this is the destination for you.
2. Farm Sanctuary
Location: 5200 Escondido Canyon Dr, Acton, CA 93510
Founded in 1986 by Gene Baur and Lorri Houston, Farm Sanctuary is a haven for animals from factory farming. It started when Baur discovered a sheep, Hilda, in a pile of deceased animals. She was still alive, so he took her in. To fund the sanctuary he hoped to open, he followed the Grateful Dead around on tour, slinging vegan hot dogs from a van.
From its grassroots beginning, Farm Sanctuary has become a force in the animal rights movement. The organization rescues cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, horses, donkeys, and goats from landing on someone’s plate. Each animal has a powerful and unique story of resilience.
June B. Free and Susan’s story is just one example. They were part of a group of 40 cows who escaped a slaughterhouse and ran for their lives. While most were caught and returned, Junie B. Free and Susan evaded capture. Now, they live safe, happy lives.
While Farm Sanctuary encourages people to go vegan, it isn’t a requirement. Everyone is welcome to meet the animals and learn the rich history and the beings who call it home.
Guided tours run year-round on Saturdays and Sundays. Private tours are also available during the week. Advanced registration is required, so book your visit ahead of time. Public tour tickets cost $26.50, while private tours start at $291.50.
A short drive from San Diego:
3. Farm Animal Refuge
Location: Campo, California
About an hour from San Diego, there is a family-run, magical home for rescued farm animals. Founded by two amazing animal activists, Jordan and Matt, Farm Animal Refuge has grown to include Jordan’s parents and sister. They have put their hearts and souls into caring for these animals, and it shows in how kind and affectionate they are.
Jordan has loved animals her whole life, but never saw farm animals the same way. Once she made the connection, she not only went vegan, but she also started her own sanctuary. It all started with a few chickens and has now grown into the perfect home for cows, chickens, turkeys, goats, and pigs
If you’re chronically online, you may have seen one of Farm Animal Refuge’s animals without realizing it. In a hilarious video, Andrew Marttila, also known as The Cat Photographer, caught the small black piglet running and stopping. It went viral for how cute it is. That tiny piglet grew to be a large pig named Joshua. His time in the spotlight seems to have stuck with him, as he’s the refuge’s resident diva.
Another special part of the sanctuary is the area for animals with specific needs. Lovingly called the Funky Bunch, they are a group of special-needs animals who live together in harmony. Some are in carts, the wheelchair alternative for animals. Others are old or have certain health concerns. The animal agriculture industry discarded them, but they have found love, care, and acceptance here.
I can’t recommend visiting Farm Animal Refuge more. They host open houses throughout the year, along with other events. You can also book a private tour on their website. Follow along on Instagram to learn about upcoming events.
4. Lions, Tigers & Bears
Location: 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901
Lions, Tigers & Bears is a dedicated sanctuary for abused and abandoned exotic animals. Their goal is to teach people about the devastating impact of the exotic animal trade. Much like Animal Tracks, they take in animals that were kept as pets or abused by other “sanctuaries.”
Bobbi Brink, the sanctuary’s founder, first rescued two tigers, Raja and Natasha, in 2002. Now, the sanctuary has 142 acres of idyllic landscape for the lions, tigers, American and Himalayan black bears, grizzly bears, bobcats, mountain lions, servals, leopards, llamas, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, peacocks, and macaws in their care.
All of the animals at the sanctuary are special and came from heartbreaking circumstances. Notable rescues include Jem and Zoe, rescued from Tiger King Park, run by Jeff and Lauren Lowe of Netflix’s “Tiger King.” After Tiger King Park was shut down, the animals needed new homes. Lions, Tigers & Bears became a refuge for Jem and Zoe, who were extremely traumatized. The sanctuary allowed them a place to rest and recover, working through their emotional pain every day.
Roadside zoos like the one from “Tiger King” are prime examples of unethical sanctuaries. They may pretend they’re providing a safe space for the animals, but that’s far from the case. Places like this allow the public to touch animals and breed them to keep cubs coming, drawing in audiences. A real ethical sanctuary, like Lions, Tigers & Bears, does not breed their animals or allow physical contact with guests. However, this sanctuary does offer a special experience that lets you get up close with the animals.
With help from a trained staff member, you can feed a piece of meat to the animal of your choosing. Don’t worry, there’s zero chance you will lose a finger or 5. This experience uses a long pole. No hands near the enclosure.
Visiting Lions, Tigers & Bears is special because each animal has a unique story. Set up for failure because of human arrogance, they now find peace and love in a safe environment.
The sanctuary offers several tours. Be sure to browse their website to learn about each unique opportunity. A standard, guided tour costs $58.30 for non-members and can be booked online. They also have several exciting events throughout the year.
