Info

About Us.....

After growing up around many different exotic animals, it wasn't a complete surprise that Joel, the founder and owner, would start a rescue and rehabilitation facility with his wife, Chemaine, in the local High Desert of California. After acquiring their USDA and Fish and Game licenses they purchased their first exotic animal. Shortly after the purchase they were shocked to discover the horrible truth behind the exotic animal market. Every year thousands of captive breed exotic animals are put to sleep for many of the same reasons. Abandoned, abused, neglected or illegally obtained, these animals all need the same thing--a home. Joel and Chemaine made a decision to do just that. With great love for these exotic animals they created Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary. They started educational programs to help teach people about these beautiful animals and to raise money to support rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Unfortunately, it hasn't been enough. To their disappointment, every year some of the animals had to be turned away. So another decision was made. Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary became a Non-Profit Corporation. Now they have great hopes that the donations will help them save and preserve exotic animals, and the educational programs will help teach generations of people to do their part in protecting the animals' land and lives from becoming extinct.

Our Mission.....

We are dedicated to do all we can in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of exotic animals. We will strive to provide safe and caring homes for all that pass through our doors for the rest of their lives. Our promise is to help educate people of all generations to better understand the need our world has for the preservation of our beautiful exotic animals and the habitat on which they depend.

Behind the Scenes.....We would like to introduce you to some of the people that help Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary operate.

Joel Almquist is one of the founders and President.

Chemaine Almquist is one of the founders and Vice President

Carly Foehner is our Treasurer.

Karine Dunning is our Secretary.

Christina Bush is our Director of Public Relations, Photographer
and Web Designer.

Todd Dunning is our Director of Marketing.

There are also 8 wonderful and dedicated volunteers that come out each day to clean and feed our family of exotic animals. Their names are:

Anthony Harper, Teddy Costello, Lorraine Solis, Julia Addison, Carolyn Bjorkman, Pat Maritato, Sharon Maritato & Cheryl Chavez.

We are very grateful for all they do for us and our animals here at Forever Wild!

All together we have a great bunch of people that care deeply about the animals that we rescue. We strive to do the best we can with what we get and will protect and love these animals with all of our hearts for the rest of their lives.