Living Free Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1980 by Emily Jo Beard—a woman with a vision, a heart full of compassion, and a promise:
To protect the innocent. To provide refuge. To bless our fellow creatures.

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What began with just ten dogs and five cats has grown into a sanctuary of life and hope. Today, nearly 150 animals call Living Free home. They are the living legacy of Emily Jo’s dream—a dream that continues to unfold every day.

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Set on 155 breathtaking acres once used by the Cahuilla Indians as a summer refuge—where ancient bedrock mortars and petroglyphs still whisper stories of the past—Living Free is more than a sanctuary. It is sacred ground for healing, for second chances, and for life lived with dignity.

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We are proudly no-kill. We do not take animals from the public. Instead, we rescue dogs and cats who are scheduled to be euthanized in overcrowded shelters—animals with no more time, no more options, and nowhere else to go. At Living Free, they are safe. They are seen. And they are loved.

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Some will find forever homes. Others will live out their days here, surrounded by nature, respected for who they are, and cared for deeply every step of the way.

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Living Free was built on a promise—and that promise remains unbroken.
Every life deserves a second chance.