Pamela Anderson and other celebrities and community leaders will be taking a Walk on the Wild Side-5 kilometers, in fact-this Sunday at Zuma Beach to help raise funds for the California Wildlife Center.
Refreshments and snacks, music by the center’s “wild” DJ, a trainer-led beach warm-up, a release of a rehabilitated animal at the beach, and wildlife education booths and top fundraising prizes will all be part of the festivities.
CWC staff and volunteers, and other wildlife supporters will also participate in the event that is open to the public. Participants who cross the finish line receive a certificate of completion and prizes will be awarded to the three top fundraisers.
The center has a goal of raising $68,000, so it can stay in full operation through its busiest time of the year-baby season-“creating a safe haven for hundreds of species living in Southern California,” the CWC states.
The center, which is located off Piuma Road on land provided by the California State Parks, last year opened a fawn enclosure to help nurse and rehabilitate orphaned fawns. Baby squirrels, birds and other animals are regularly rescued and cared for, and then released back into the wild by center staff.
Earlier this year, the center’s emergency response team rescued 12 sick and dying pelicans in the Malibu area and transferred the surviving nine to the International Bird Rescue & Research Center (IBRRC) in San Pedro. Volunteers regularly respond to calls about sick and disoriented sea lions as well.
Anderson, an actress, Malibu resident and mother of two, has been a longtime animal rights activist and visible supporter of CWC, often participating in fundraisers for the center.
In a webisode posted on the actress’ Web site, CWC Executive Director Victoria Harris said of Anderson, “Pamela is probably our most visible supporter … she got involved up here because she wanted her boys to get involved and to see, I think, the goodness that can come from celebrity… they’ve done a great job of leveraging that in a good way to support us.”
Anderson states: “It’s challenging to raise kids. And it’s challenging to instill morals in kids. But I think if you’re good to animals you’re good to people.”
The funds raised for Walk on the Wild Side will go directly to funding the free services and programs California Wildlife Center provides, including paramedic rescue and rehabilitation for more than 2,000 animals each year; and co-existing with wildlife education to many communities.
Since its founding in 1998, the nonprofit CWC has provided care for more than 17,000 animals. Operating with a small staff, including a veterinarian and a team of 40 trained volunteers who log 13,000-plus hours per year, the CWC provides emergency care to native wildlife in Los Angeles County, 365 days a year.
CWC offers direct services at no charge to the public. The center does not receive government subsidies and must rely on donations (like the funds raised for CWC Walk on the Wild Side) to continue its mission. More information can be obtained online at www.californiawildlifecenter.org.