6 Family-Friendly Animal Conservation Groups to Visit in LA
The first week of May is the American Humane Society’s annual Be Kind to Animals Week. This year the organization is challenging people to commit to protecting and improving the lives of millions of animals. Spending time with animals is an excellent way to develop empathy and kindness and understand why preserving the environment and wildlife is so important.
To celebrate the spirit of the week, we’ve compiled a list of local animal conservation groups where you can observe animals and learn more about their needs and habitats.
6 Family-Friendly Animal Conservation Groups in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is brimming with wildlife sanctuaries and rescue organizations. Here are a few of our favorite animal conservation groups perfect for kids who love animals and want to learn more about helping them.
Annenberg PetSpace
Designed to strengthen the human-animal bond, this interactive community space provides hands-on educational experiences. It also offers unique pet adoption opportunities, allowing you to interact with the animals so you can connect and find the right match for your family.
Gentle Barn
The Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates, and gives sanctuary to severely abused animals. Through interaction with the rescued animals, kids learn reverence for all life. Best of all, you can hug cows! It’s impossible to visit without gaining a new perspective on animal conservation.
STAR Eco Station
STAR Eco Station provides up-close experiences with rescued exotic animals where kids can learn about the importance of animal conservation through hands-on ecology lessons. Check out their awesome summer camp program for kids who are really excited about environmental science.
Wildlife Learning Center
This small but impressive zoological park focuses on providing public education in the life sciences, animal conservation, and the environment. Visitors can observe and interact with a variety of rescued and zoo-born animals.
Farm Sanctuary
This 26-acre animal sanctuary located outside of Acton is home to rescued cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and other farm animals. Visitors can take an hour-long tour of the shelter and learn all about the rescued animals and their care.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, and releases local marine animals and educates visitors on the importance of marine life conservation. Families can tour the facility, sign up for youth educational programs on marine science, or even participate as teen volunteers.
For more information on local organizations that help animals, check out our guide to supporting Los Angeles animal shelters.
Which animal sanctuaries have you visited from our list? Share your family’s experiences with us in our Local Anchor Facebook group.
