Living Free Animal Sanctuary (Mountain Center)
Mountain Center, CA
No Kill Verified
Submitted and reviewed by the community. Periodic check-ins to ensure the status is accurate.
No Kill Ambassador
An important part of saving lives is to promote the no kill message. This organization is helping by publicly displaying a badge or messaging on their website for their visitors to see.
Life Saving Pledge
"We vow to save animal lives and end the killing of all non-irremediably suffering animals."
submitted by Living Free Animal Sanctuary (Mountain Center) on 06/15/25
last checked 10/28/26
The Problem: There is a serious cat and dog overpopulation crisis. The unacceptable solution: Destroy the unwanted. Millions of cats and dogs are legally killed — euthanized — every year. The sheer obscenity of these numbers appalled our founder, Emily Jo Beard, who believed in reverence for all life — animal-kind as well as human-kind. She was convinced that education and planning could eliminate unnecessary euthanasia as a "solution".
Our Humane Solution: In 1980 Emily acquired 153 acres in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild and named it Living Free Animal Sanctuary — which is the only sanctuary founded by Emily. She devoted the rest of her life to providing refuge for orphaned cats and dogs. "We have an obligation to better the lives of the animals with whom we share the earth," said Emily.
Today at Living Free we: *Save the lives of cats and dogs who otherwise would be euthanized. *Spread the message that our companion cats and dogs are entitled to secure lives enhanced by loving care. *Teach youngsters and adults to understand, respect and value animals.
Review Summary*
- Feral Cat TNR Program5Reviews★★★★★
- High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter5Reviews★★★★★
- Rescue Groups5Reviews★★★★★
- Foster Care5Reviews★★★★★
- Comprehensive Adoption Programs5Reviews★★★★★
- Pet Retention5Reviews★★★★★
- Medical and Behavior Programs4Reviews★★★★★
- Public Relations/Community Involvement4Reviews★★★★★
- Volunteers4Reviews★★★★★
- Proactive Redemptions4Reviews★★★★★
- A Compassionate Director4Reviews★★★★★
Reviews
Feral Cat TNR Program ★★★★★ 4.6 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:04:02
Not an option, yet.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:17:25
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:18
★★★★★posted by JacquelineWelch, on 2014-10-07 09:15:11
This company feels strongly about the health and welfare of the animals. TNR programs are respected to reduce the number of homeless, neglected and abused animals.
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:51:16
High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:04:55
All animals are spayed/neutered.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:17:32
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:24
★★★★★posted by JacquelineWelch, on 2014-10-07 09:23:03
This statement is one of the main goals at Living Free. All animals at Living Free are spay/neutered, vaccinated, provided excellent medical care and microchiped to ensure the health and welfare of the animal and surrounding animals.
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:52:02
Every dog & cat is neutered
Rescue Groups ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:06:39
Rescuing cats and dogs from imminent shelter euthanasia.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:17:53
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:35
★★★★★posted by JacquelineWelch, on 2014-10-07 09:38:02
Adoptions are celebrated at Living Free, that means a dog or cat has found a forever home and new space becomes available to rescue again.
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:54:02
Every adopted dog or cat is replaced with another death row animal about to be killed
Foster Care ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:07:44
Continues it's own foster care at the facility until a forever home is found.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:17:58
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:39
★★★★★posted by JacquelineWelch, on 2014-10-07 09:41:48
The animals at Living Free live on the 153 acres inherited by its founder. However, the idea of more participation by others in the community to help save animal lives is well respected by this company.
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:54:56
They all have forever homes do not foster
Comprehensive Adoption Programs ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:11:00
Open 6 days a week, many adoption fairs are held throughout the year in different areas, fundraisers, marketing as much as donations allow.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:18:28
This sanctuary has frequent adoption events and effective use of social media to get more adoptions.
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:43
★★★★★posted by JacquelineWelch, on 2014-10-07 09:53:01
I couldn't agree with this statement more. Reaching out to the public, education and adoptions are key to saving animal lives. I know Living Free focuses on the importance of animal adoptions and if an adoption doesn't work out, the animal is allowed to be brought back to the facility.
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:57:35
Every person & home is checked in person before the animal can be adopted, they are all neutered, chipped, complete shots and complete medical history
Pet Retention ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:11:43
Good staff to help match people and pets.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:18:45
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:46
★★★★★posted by JacquelineWelch, on 2014-10-07 10:02:59
Pet retention is extremely important. This is why Living Free makes sure that a potentially adopted animal will get along with other family members/pets before going to their forever home. A good match is important for a new family member to feel at home.
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:57:57
Medical and Behavior Programs ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:13:15
Great staff and volunteer to help with all the animals needs.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:19:24
Living Free makes sure that every animal in the sanctuary is healthy and happy--even taking care of special needs animals without complaint.
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:50
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:58:24
100%
Public Relations/Community Involvement ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:13:48
In the public eye as much as possible.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:20:30
With not only frequent adoption fairs, but awareness events, effective social media use, and large scale awareness/fundraising events, Living Free is a strong presence in the community
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:56
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:58:34
Volunteers ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:14:38
The best, loving, caring volunteers ever!
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:20:57
The volunteers are helpful, consistent, well trained, and dedicated
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:12:59
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:59:21
The most dedicated group I have ever worked with
Proactive Redemptions ★★★★★ 4.5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:16:12
Not applicable, these animals are rescued off death row.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:21:09
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:13:02
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 10:59:57
A Compassionate Director ★★★★★ 5 average
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-08 12:17:18
All staff is very compassionate, animals first.
★★★★★posted by AmandaPiper, on 2014-10-08 02:21:18
★★★★★posted by (empty name), on 2014-10-07 13:13:07
★★★★★posted by DennisSondrini, on 2014-10-06 11:00:22
Oh my Sharon is the best
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