Every year, thousands of exotic animals—monkeys, foxes, servals, and more—are removed from unsafe situations, private ownership, or the entertainment industry. But what happens next? Where do these animals go when they can no longer be kept as pets or used for human purposes? The Reality of Exotic Animal Rescue Many people are surprised to learn that exotic animals often end up in difficult situations due to: The illegal pet trade Owners who underestimate their complex needs

When planning a family outing or a unique day trip near Los Angeles, many people automatically think of visiting a zoo. While zoos can be entertaining, there’s a growing trend toward choosing animal sanctuaries , and for good reason! Small Groups, Personal Experiences One of the biggest differences between a sanctuary and a traditional zoo is the size and style of the experience . Zoos often involve: Large crowds Long lines for exhibits Limited interaction opportunities At an

Looking for meaningful and unforgettable animal experiences in the Los Angeles area? Whether you're a local or just visiting, LA offers a variety of ways to connect with animals—but not all experiences are created equal. If you're looking for ethical, educational, and up-close encounters , this guide highlights some of the very best! Here are 5 of the best animal experiences in Los Angeles, where animal welfare and education come first: 1. Animal Tracks Sanctuary (Agua Dulce)

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close to incredible animals in a setting that feels personal, ethical, and unforgettable—welcome to Animal Tracks! Located just outside Los Angeles, Animal Tracks offers one of the most unique animal encounters near Los Angeles (not a zoo) . This is not a crowded, overwhelming environment. Instead, it’s a small group, personal experience  where you can truly connect with animals and learn their stories. A Different Kind of Animal Experienc

Please join us in welcoming Joey, our rescued red kangaroo joey, to the Animal Tracks family! Joey came to us through our trusted partner sanctuary, Conservation Ambassadors, and from the moment he arrived, he completely captured our hearts. At just about six months old, he is still very much a baby — bright-eyed, curious, and happiest when snuggled safely inside his pouch. In the wild, red kangaroo joeys spend many months tucked securely in their mother’s pouch, emerging slo

Every rescue has a story — and some stay with you forever. Daredevil’s is one of resilience, compassion and the incredible impact of community care. Daredevil is a Virginia opossum who was found after being struck by a car, disoriented and circling in the middle of the road. The accident left him with lasting damage: he lost his sight and drags one of his back legs slightly. It was a deeply traumatic experience, one that no wild animal should ever have to endure. As a result

We’d love to introduce you to Dumpling , our newest rescued bunny — and one very special girl. Before coming to Animal Tracks, Dumpling was bred as a meat rabbit . Even more heartbreaking, she was living confined inside a drawer , without the space, stimulation, or care that rabbits desperately need to thrive. Sadly, stories like Dumpling’s are far more common than most people realize. Dumpling’s journey is an important reminder of why responsible animal care and informed dec

We’re excited to welcome a very special new resident to the Animal Tracks family— Karen the hedgehog . Karen came to us from West Valley Animal Shelter  after being confiscated from a situation where she wasn’t receiving proper care. Unfortunately, this is a story we see far too often, especially with small animals like hedgehogs and ferrets. Because they’re small, quiet, and undeniably cute, they’re often misunderstood—and their complex needs are overlooked. A Sweet Soul, No

We are thrilled to officially introduce the newest members of the Animal Tracks family: Sugar Spice  and Caramel Apple , two magnificent pony girls who recently arrived at the sanctuary and have already stolen everyone’s hearts! Their arrival was a bit of a surprise. Sugar Spice and Caramel Apple were originally scheduled to go to another facility, but plans changed at the last minute and they suddenly needed a safe place to land. When they were left in our care, we didn’t he

oday is a truly heartbreaking day at Animal Tracks. We said goodbye to Malakai, our beautiful rescued red fox whose presence touched everyone who had the privilege of meeting him. His story was one of resilience, hope, and the power of compassion—and it deserves to be remembered. A Rescue Made Possible Through Community Malakai came to us a couple of years ago through the support and collaboration of our friends at SaveAFox , who work tirelessly to rescue foxes from the fur t

On November 7th, Animal Tracks hosted its very first Wild Hearts Gala  at the stunning Ebell of Los Angeles — and what an unforgettable night it was! The evening brought together animal lovers, advocates, artists, and supporters from across Los Angeles to celebrate compassion, raise awareness, and build momentum for the future of our sanctuary. From the moment guests stepped into the venue, there was a shared feeling of excitement and purpose. For Animal Tracks, this gala wa

We are thrilled to announce Animal Tracks’ first official fundraising event — The Wild Hearts Gala ! This special evening marks a milestone in our journey to protect and care for rescued exotic animals while expanding our mission of education and advocacy. We are deeply grateful to The Ebell of Los Angeles , the JHM Foundation , and Better Earth Productions  for making this incredible event possible. Their generosity and belief in our mission have helped bring this vision to

At Animal Tracks, our mission has always been to provide a safe haven for rescued exotic animals while inspiring people to connect with wildlife in meaningful ways. This month, we’re introducing something brand new — Kangaroo Yoga  — a unique opportunity to stretch, breathe, and relax in the company of our resident kangaroos. We created Kangaroo Yoga with one simple vision: to share the beauty and presence of our kangaroos with more people, but in a setting that is quiet, res

We have some exciting — and extremely adorable — news to share with our Animal Tracks family! Two tiny new faces have joined our rescue: PIGnelope  and Peaches , a pair of five-week-old Kunekune piglets. These sweet sisters are already stealing hearts with their snouts, squeals, and surprising snuggles! But their story is more than just cute — it’s one of resilience, survival, and second chances. Their journey began with their mother, who was rescued from a dangerous fire sit

At Animal Tracks, we live every day with open hearts—celebrating the joy of rescue and healing, while also facing the painful reality of...

At Animal Tracks, our mission is to rescue, care for, and provide lifelong sanctuary for animals who have nowhere else to go. Many of our residents come from the exotic pet trade, entertainment industry, or situations of neglect—and once they arrive, they become family. That means we stand by them through every stage of life, including the hardest ones. Right now, three of our beloved animals are facing a fight no one should have to face alone: cancer. And they need your supp

At our sanctuary, every animal is family—and right now, two of our beloved seniors, Monzo the serval and Turbo the Patagonian mara, urgently need your support. Earlier today, both Monzo and Turbo visited the vet for essential care, and we want to share their stories with you so you can understand how much your generosity means to them—and to us. Turbo’s Dental Challenges Turbo is our sweet, elderly Patagonian mara who has been with us for many years. Like many animals, he has

Photo by Elyse Jankowski At Animal Tracks, our mission is to provide a safe, loving home to rescued exotic animals — many of whom have...

At Animal Tracks, we’re always looking for new ways to connect our community—especially young people—with the natural world and the animals we work so hard to protect. That’s why we’re incredibly excited to share a sneak peek into our newest offering: The Animal Tracks Summertime Kids & Family Tour: Little Trackers! Launching (hopefully!) by July 1st We’re transforming part of the sanctuary into an immersive, family-friendly experience that’s educational, enriching, and most

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest additions to the Animal Tracks family: David Molasses  and Brayoncé Sassafras , two miniature donkeys with big personalities and even bigger hearts! These two sweet souls came to us from a compassionate human who lovingly cared for them and made the heartfelt decision to give them a forever home here at Animal Tracks. We’re honored to welcome them into our sanctuary, where they’ll be safe, loved, and surrounded by new friends and fans. N