Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Pacific Marine Mammal Center inspires ocean stewardship through animal rescue and rehabilitation, medical research, STEM education programs, and advocacy for a healthy ocean.

From our humble beginnings in a little red horse barn in Laguna Beach, the success of Pacific Marine Mammal Center has been fueled by collaboration, a principle ingrained from its inception. This commitment was exemplified by our founders, John Cunningham and Jim Stauffer, along with numerous friends, advocates, donors, and volunteers who dedicated years to shape the organization into its current form. At 54 years, we find ourselves engaged in the most significant undertaking to date – ensuring that the center not only endures, but is known worldwide as an authority for research, conservation, and advancement in marine mammal care. At our core, we remain dedicated to our vital mission of rescue, rehabilitation, and release. We will forever be committed to the well-being of marine mammals along the 52 miles of Orange County coastline, while our vision extends across the globe.

PMMC has been helping protect wild marine mammals and connecting people with the ocean since 1971. Our core mission is to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured marine mammals and return them back to their ocean home. PMMC has helped nearly 10,000 marine mammals over the past 50 years. While in our care, we get unique insight into these animals’ lives and can learn about the pressures they are facing in the wild. Through their stories, we educate our community about ocean conservation, conduct research that informs policymakers how to better protect our oceans, and train the next generation of ocean advocates. Conservation is a very important area of focus, since trash, plastics and chemicals have become an increasingly vital concern for the health and safety of our oceans. Through the range of our numerous high-impact research based education programs, we increase marine science knowledge, ecosystem understanding and inspire environmental stewardship. PMMC remains the only marine mammal rehabilitation facility in all of Orange County, California, licensed to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals that strand on local beaches. We provide a much-needed service to both marine mammals and the general public by rescuing and treating stranded animals off the Orange County coastline and public beaches. Not only do we provide immediate service to the sick or injured animal in need; we also protect the public from an interaction with a wild animal who is distressed or ill. The goal, objectives, and intended outcomes of our Animal Care program are: GOAL: To act as a caregiver and rehabilitate all marine mammals in need of medical attention TARGETED OUTCOME: To release 75% of marine mammal patients back into the wild as fully rehabilitated, functional representations of their species. Objective 1: To provide top quality food, medical supplies and laboratory analysis to each and every animal that enters our facility. Objective 2: Provide advanced diagnostic and supportive care to each patient to allow for the best chance of recovery possible. Objective 3: Provide each patient with a disease-free, sanitized habitat that encourages healthy recovery. Objective 4: Be prepared to treat the unusual mortalities that are assaulting these animals each year. While we cannot predict with certainty how many patients will come through our doors every year, or what new disease or injury they will have, every dollar that we can procure to underwrite our animal care program ensures that we will have the resources needed, as needed, to fulfill our mission to the best of our ability.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center operates with an annual budget of approximately $3.6 million. Last year, our donors helped fuel 290 marine mammal rescues and responses. Since the beginning of this year, we have already responded to 258 marine mammals in distress, including 197 sea lions, 19 elephant seals and 38 cetaceans. As you may have heard through news and social media outlets, we have been very busy with rescues due to the recent domoic acid crisis. With your contribution, we are able to do some truly incredible things, including:

• Providing the necessary equipment for safe and successful rescues.
• Ensuring food for our patients to help them recover and regain strength.
• Offering specialized care such as x-rays and medication.
• Powering educational programs, inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.
• Fueling research initiatives, helping us better understand and protect marine life.
• Supporting give-back programs, extending our impact far beyond the rescue center.

As you know, our patients contribute to our understanding of ocean health and help us build a better ocean. Your support means you have made a big difference in their lives and in our mission, especially during this trying time. For that, we thank you.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center serves the entire Orange County area in Southern California, consisting of approximately a 52 mile coastline territory.

After nearly 3 years leading this organization, I find myself in awe of all that we accomplish together. With regards to protecting and healing marine mammals, transferring the knowledge we gain through our rehabilitation efforts and research into meaningful educational offerings, and being an advocate for a healthy ocean we truly are making a difference. Occasionally, I am asked what makes PMMC different from other ocean-conservation minded organizations. My answer is two-fold, (i) our people, and (ii) the fact that we accomplish things, not just talk about the need to get things done. When communities are part of the solution, the outcomes are stronger and more sustainable. Everything you do makes a difference for us. Your friendship, being an advocate for our mission, and your financial support during urgent appeals or to support our day-to-day operations – matters. Thank you.

2023 marked my seventh year as Chairman and a total of nine years on the board for Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC). It is with great enthusiasm that I share the significant strides we have made this year, especially with the groundbreaking of our center expansion, but specifically the wastewater treatment system, a long-standing goal of mine that is now becoming a reality. Thinking back on my initial encounter with PMMC a decade ago during a sea lion release, I was captivated by the experience, inspiring my deep involvement with this exceptional organization. Today, as we stand at the forefront of transformative change, our commitment to environmental sustainability and water conservation is taking center stage. The construction of the water reclamation system is anticipated to reclaim approximately five million gallons of water annually. PMMC is set to play a crucial role in furthering Laguna Beach's reputation as the nation's 'Most Waterwise City.' This system will not only reduce water usage from an average of 18,000 gallons per day to approximately 1,500 gallons per day but will also integrate seamlessly into our education curriculum on water conservation. The impact of the reclamation system extends beyond water conservation. It will enhance water quality, safeguard natural resources, and address flood management, fostering a more sustainable and resilient community. Importantly, the higher quality water will significantly elevate the medical and husbandry care we provide to our marine mammal patients, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to excellence.

With Sincere Gratitude,
Jeff Meberg
Chairman of the Board, Pacific Marine Mammal Center