More animals may find forever homes, thanks to a $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant presented to Living Free Animal Sanctuary from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The grant will be used to rescue and care for dogs and cats facing imminent euthanasia at local shelters until they are adopted.
“We are grateful to the Berger Foundation and News Channel 3’s advisory board for believing in the value our organization provides the Coachella Valley,” said Jennie Rayner, Board Chair of Living Free. “About 30 of the animals currently living at our Sanctuary were rescued from the valley.”
Living Free was founded in 1980 by Emily Jo Beard as one of the first privately funded, no-kill sanctuaries where animals are safely housed without being caged. Every animal who enters the Sanctuary receives a full medical exam and any necessary medical care including immunizations. They are also microchipped and spayed or neutered. Animals at Living Free are provided with a safe, cage-free environment and will remain there until they find a forever home. Animals that are not adopted live out their days at Living Free on 155 acres in Mountain Center.
“The natural environment of Living Free Animal Sanctuary is an inspiring concept, providing animals with a cage-free and comfortable home, while they await a caring companion or family,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
The Sanctuary is about 38 miles from the valley floor, off Highway 74. Many rescues come from Riverside County’s Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms and other rescue partners. The nonprofit organization also operates The Living Free Desert Outpost inside The Shops at Palm Desert (formerly Westfield Mall) on the lower level, next to Macy’s. This location serves as a community space where the public can meet dogs and cats available for adoption and learn more about Living Free, which usually has about 25 dogs and 80 cats socialized and ready for adoption.
“The Desert Outpost is a great extension to Living Free, which demonstrates an exemplary compassion for animals,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
Through the Coachella Valley Spotlight partnership with the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3, Living Free was featured on News Channel 3 programming, in public service announcements and on kesq.com throughout July. For more information about Living Free, visit www.living-free.org or call 951-659-4687.
