Animal Rescue Team

Animal Rescue Team is the only organization between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo permitted by the California Department of Fish and Game to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife.  Although A.R.T. was incorporated just over one year ago, it now houses over 30 animals of 10 species as they mature, receive veterinary care, recover and are readied for release back into the wild.

Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, A.R.T. focuses on mammal rescue, although raptors, birds and reptiles are never turned away.  Domestic animals are also occasionally fostered until a loving forever home can be found.

During the Jesusita Fire A.R.T. rescued over 200 animals, wild and domestic, working with police and fire officials to get the animals the help they needed. Refugees from the Jesusita Fire continue to recover at the A.R.T. facility from severe burns and other fire related injuries.

When there is an injured, orphaned, or displaced wild animal ART is available to respond 24/7 whether the request comes from a resident or one of the many public agencies with which A.R.T. works closely in Santa Barbara County.

Animal Rescue Team is the only animal rescue facility equipped with an animal ambulance on the Central Coast. This allows us to better serve the animals and our community in times of disaster, such as the recent Tea and Jesusita Fires.
Since Animal Rescue Team’s inception last year, A.R.T. was chosen as a recipient of the Santa Barbara News Press Holiday Fund, which allowed for the construction of eight large mammal enclosures. It is only through charitable donations and the generosity of volunteers that A.R.T. will continue to serve the animals and residents of the community.

The generosity of Santa Barbara residents and businesses is key to A.R.T.‘s continued success and will better allow A.R.T. to expand to accommodate the growing needs of abandoned or injured wildlife. A.R.T. operates with volunteers and donations only, and your help is needed allow these services to continue.