The EMERALD SANCTUARY
Help us continue to provide
award-winning, life-saving care to domestic/exotic animals, wildlife & our environment.
GRATITUDE TO THE GEMS OF THE
COMMUNITY WHO SUPPORT US!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Petition Campaign last summer. There is still work that needs to be done
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We are still in a complicated situation with the county and other agencies and are continuing working on solutions to remedy our issues. We are currently searching for skillful individuals in:
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Graphics Design
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Social Media Marketing
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Grant Writing
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Fundraising
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To Save the sanctuary and sustainability sites, we need to raise money to buy existing and new property. In addition anyone, or any leader that can offer political support for our project. Please fill out the contact form located at the bottom of the page.
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ANSWER THE CALL OF THE WILD
"No other shelter in Orange County services the
same wide range of species" - LA TIMES
Our services are recognized by ...
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U.S. Department of the Interior USFWS Special Recognition Award
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Disneyland Community Service Environmental Award
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Disneyland Orange County Community Service Award
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Los Angeles S.P.C.A. Special Achievement Award
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L.I.F.E. Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
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National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Lifetime Achievement Award
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Nautical Heritage Society Award of Ancient Mariner
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Orange County Animal Services Special Recognition
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Pet Place Special Recognition
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Thomas F. Riley, O.C. Board of Supervisors Certificate of Appreciation
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O.C. Volunteer Center California Award
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CA Department of Fish & Game Certificate of Appreciation
One of our proudest but most challenging moments came when we successfully responded to the 7-year botulism outbreak that threatened the extinction of California's Brown pelicans.
Donate to support our facility so we can continue to provide award-winning, life-saving care to our planet's most vulnerable members. Independent animal sanctuaries are a MUST to help stop the eco-crisis and prevent extinctions before they happen.
Community Buzz
We believe prevention is the best solution to problems - and prevention comes from an educated public.
Our current programs include workshops for;
+ Non-toxic and sustainable living
+ Eco-conscious building solutions
+ Restoring habitats
+ Fostering native, fire-resistant, food forest & pollinator gardens
+ Beach clean-ups
+ Easy ways to reduce everyday impact on the environment.
"I have had the pleasure of working with Pacific Wildlife Project and Kris on a couple of occasions. There have been birds that have gotten strung up badly with fishing line where I live.
I reached out to the organization and was always called back instantly and met by Kris who has gone above and beyond in order to help and protect our wildlife. Without Kris they would have sustained long term injuries if not a loss of life due to careless human actions.
Kris and his sanctuary are a priceless and necessary asset of our community, county, state and to the countless animals he helps on a daily basis. There needs to be a place and there need to be people who counter-act the damage caused by man. To have a gem of a safe haven for the conservation and protection of all the creatures we share our planet with is of the utmost importance.
I couldn’t imagine, like many others; not having The Pacific Wildlife Project to call upon during times of need.
Thank you so much for everything you guys do."
Jordan
Lake Forest, CA
A Priceless & Necessary Asset of Our Community
"The Emerald Sanctuary is one of a kind. I have transported sea birds lost and injured in the Eastern Sierra to Kris. He has rehabbed and released at least several of the birds. This is a gem and treasure that the community and county should be supporting."
Rosie G.
Gem & Treasure
"I am a friend of Kris and have witnessed the devotional love and care he provides these animals first hand. The attention to detail is mind-blowing. He even custom-made each enclosure with tree-shaped doors and beautiful colors.
He has a connection with each and every animal - providing a sanctuary and rehabilitation for creatures that would otherwise be forgotten or neglected. [...]
Projects like this are what represent the original spirit of Laguna Beach and it needs the city's support now. "
Alaï
Laguna Beach
Original Spirit of Laguna Beach
"I first met Kris 33 years ago when he visited our family-run wildlife refuge in Queensland, Australia. His compassion and genuineness shone through about the welfare of animals and was eager to learn all he could about caring for our wildlife.
Even Mother Teresa recognized his love and compassion and invited him to work alongside her for several months.
This is the man who takes in the unloved, the hurt and vulnerable, the orphaned and the ugly animals when other people turn a blind eye to their plight. It is vitally important to save these animals and refuge.
The big question is “Where else and who else will take on these animals?”
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Certainly not the authorities! Their solution is euthanasia.
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
Penny B.
Small Things with Great Love
"Hello, I am a French citizen and I had the chance to visit Emerald Sanctuary for the first time when I was around 7, so approximately 20 years ago.
For me, as a child, it was my first experience with learning the logistics of caring for an animal other than a cat.
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That is was a real duty and what could happen when people did not take responsibility anymore. Apart from the joy and novelty of discovering different animals, it was a life lesson on care, responsibility and selflessness. [...]
I wish for many more children and adults to learn all this and more. I wish for many more animals to find a safe place like this one. "
Than you Kris for lighting up my childhood,
Anne-Claire
Lighting Up My Childhood
Educate the Next Generation
This sanctuary and community are the types of efforts that make Laguna Beach special. We care about animals that don’t have anywhere else to go and allow them to live a comfortable life out in nature as intended. This sanctuary was helped by John Cunningham, who started PMMC - another great animal rescue. Please help preserve this park and keep it available for these animals and the Laguna Beach community.
How beautiful would it be to bring my five years old here to see these worldly animals just as he has visited PMMC to see how we can care for sick sea animals, rehab them, and send them back to the ocean. I want to educate my child and the next generation to care for animals - old, sick or healthy.
Lili M.
Laguna Beach Native
Meet Kris
Kris’ first architectural experience was building custom aviaries and enclosures for animals he cared for and rescued in his youth. Showing early aptitude, his parents, famous Laguna Beach philanthropists, Vernon & Cherry Spitaleri, encouraged his skills by asking him to design a cabin for the family. Kris and his family built his design. The stunning geodesic creation still stands in the mountains today!
After earning his architectural degree he continued serving Laguna Beach as a designer, builder and renovator on local projects. For several years Kris then traveled by backpack around the world. From spending time with mother Teresa in Calcutta India to living with Aborigines in the Australian outback. Then to camping with the nomads in the Tibetan Himalayas and many other parts of the world.
His building efforts restored hope to victims of the Yugoslav war. Kris founded the Dawn Society which helped bring relief to orphans, save the lives of refugees, and teach people to live in peace by creating a project that brought refugees of opposing sides together to help re-build each other's homes after the ravages of war.
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He co-founded the Afghan Amity Society to bring relief and restoration to victims of war in Afghanistan. Kris designed a self sustaining multi-functional center consisting of schools, housing, cultural arts complex, orphanage, regenerative food garden, self contained green energy systems, medical clinic, and ecology center to rebuild the region in a clean and sustainable way.
Now, Kris' attention is turned back home to his roots in Laguna, where he is offering his lifetime of knowledge and skill for the benefit of the community. Residents know, the Straw House has been a tremendous labor of love that was slowed by Kris making himself available for years of sleepless nights at the bedside of his parents until thier passing.
The Straw House is dedicated to Cherry & Vernon, in loving memory, and in continuation of their legacy.
Get in Touch
If you're having an animal emergency, please call our helpline directly;
949 - 831-1178