Animal Sanctuaries to Visit/Volunteer at near LA
As a long time ethical vegan and animal lover, I love to go visit and volunteer at many animal sanctuaries around Los Angeles. Whether you are just wanting to visit or volunteer, I composed a list of places I love to volunteer and visit! This ranges from farm animal sanctuaries, wildlife sanctuaries, and others! Keep reading to find out more about each of them and when you can visit!
Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is located in Acton, CA, and was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming, advocate for institutional reforms, and encourage new awareness and understanding of farm animals and the benefits of plant-based living. The animals that live at Farm Sanctuary range from cows, to pigs, to turkeys, and so many more!
Visiting
To visit Farm Sanctuary, you can either book a private or public tour.
Public tours are on Saturdays and Sundays. The times available for the tours depend on the day, but they are usually at 11am, 12:30pm, or 2:00pm. The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for children and teens under 17, and $0 for infants under 2.
Private tours
Private tour availability ranges, so you have to check the specific dates and times you can book one on their website. It is $250 for a private tour of the sanctuary with up to 8 people of your choosing!
Volunteering
You can sign up to be a volunteer on their website which I will attach below. You can sign up to volunteer to help on tour days which would be on Saturdays and Sundays. In between tours sometimes you can go and hang with the animals! Also, Farm Sanctuary sometimes has events that are usually a full day, and are super fun to volunteer at! On those days, you get a free meal from the vegan company that is catering for them!
Gentle Barn
The Gentle Barn is located in Santa Clarita. They rescue farm animals from the cruel meat and dairy industries, and give them rehabilitation and a home at their sanctuary.
Visiting
They have tours every Sunday from 10am-2pm that are open to the public. It is $25 for adults, $15 for children (2-12), and free for toddlers/infants under 2 years. You have to book your tickets online where there will be timed entries.
Volunteering
Gentle Barn accepts volunteers to help them out when they are open to the public on Sundays! You have to be available regularly on Sundays from 9-3pm. Contact them or visit for more info on volunteering!
California Wildlife Center
California Wildlife Center is located in Calabasas, and it takes in injured and orphaned wildlife. I personally have not volunteered here yet because I work at another wildlife center in Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network) that accepts volunteers as well!
Visiting
As of now they only do private visits, and you would have to contact their administrative team to schedule one. They sometimes host open houses that are free to the public where you can get a tour of the center.
Volunteering
Go on the California Wildlife Center website and click get involved and then click volunteering. After that you will fill out a form and contact you with the areas they need help in!
Kindred Spirits Care Farm
Kindred Spirits Care Farm is located in Chatsworth, and their mission is to promote compassion, cooperation, and connection to the earth, animals, and each other. They have many different types of rescued farm animals in their care that you can come and visit!
Visiting
Kindred Spirits is open every Sunday to the public from 10am-2pm. Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. They also have special events from time to where you can visit the animals, shop, and eat delicious vegan food!
Volunteering
You can go on their website and fill out the volunteer form if you are interested in volunteering at the farm!