In 2001, the head of Los Angeles Animal Regulations partnered with St. Martin’s Animal Foundation (SMAF) to launch a bilingual outreach program focused on humane education, anti-bullying, and health literacy. During this time, our team encountered distressing cases of animal cruelty, including starving dogs trained for fighting, severely neglected animals, and pets with severe injuries. We also identified a concerning trend of young people breeding animals for extra income, contributing to the staggering statistic of 1.5 million dogs and cats euthanized annually in the U.S. due to overpopulation and irresponsible breeding practices.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, our founder, Sky Valencia, established the Green Team in 2005, a group dedicated to promoting health, environmental awareness, and animal welfare among young people. Through school assemblies in Los Angeles County, the Green Team successfully educated hundreds of students each month, instilling values of compassion and responsibility.

As our sanctuary has now relocated to Arizona, we aim to revitalize the Green Team initiative here and extend our outreach efforts to future sanctuaries in California and Nevada. Our vision is to create a network of Green Teams that will inspire and educate children about humane treatment of animals and environmental stewardship across these states.

We are currently seeking funding and support to establish robust humane education and rescue centers in Arizona, California, and Nevada. If you would like to contribute to this vital cause and help us nurture the next generation of compassionate leaders, please consider donating here.