RESCUE EFFORTS

**“Saving one animal may seem small, but to that animal, it means everything.
Every act of care restores hope and reminds us of our shared responsibility
to a world where wildlife can thrive.”**

SAVING THOSE IN NEED

Across the world, countless wild and exotic animals are being kept in substandard conditions—sometimes in rundown roadside zoos, other times in private “collections” masquerading as sanctuaries. Confined to cramped cages, deprived of proper care, and often exploited for entertainment or profit. These animals endure environments that can be downright deplorable, that border on and far too often cross into, outright abuse. These poor animals have no voice.

HOW WE HELP

At Heart of the Wild we know that lasting change for wildlife comes from more than big initiatives—it comes from consistent, small actions. We partner with national and international rescue organizations to provide care and rescue for animals suffering from abuse, neglect or substandard conditions.

Each intervention, no matter how small, contributes to a broader mission: improving standards of care, protecting wildlife, and safeguarding the wild places they call home. Together, these repeated efforts create meaningful, measurable impact.

RESCUE – THE PROCESS

Rescuing a wild animal in need is rarely simple. It requires patience, persistence and careful planning, often involving multiple countries, people, permits and unexpected challenges. Finding a safe, permanent home and securing the resources to get them there can take weeks, months or even years.

1. AWARENESS — Identify an Animal in Need
Learn about an animal or group of animals in need of rescue.
2. INVESTIGATION — Understand the Situation
Gather information about the animals’ conditions, identify all relevant players — owners, officials, activists and others and begin to build / foster those relationships. Understand local laws, customs and the political climate of the location.
3. PLANNING — Build a Path to Rescue
Determine the best course of action: relocation, care in place or a combination of both. Identify a true sanctuary that can provide a permanent home, determine all required permits and develop a strategy for the logistics and challenges of the transport.
4. ACTION — Put the Plan in Motion
Begin securing permits, transportation, funding, crates and everything else required for the rescue. Navigate country-specific requirements, engage political and local players and keep all essential participants informed.
5. AWARENESS & FUNDRAISING — Rally Support
Once the plan and costs are established, raise awareness and funds to transport the animals and provide the immediate care they need.
6. THE RESCUE — Bring Them Home
HOW’s Rescue Leads work alongside local activists, veterinarians and sanctuary partners to safely relocate the animals to their forever home — keeping donors informed with updates throughout the journey.

Heart of the Wild Sanctuary for animals and people

HOW YOU CAN HELP

“Imagine a world where wildlife thrives, free from neglect and harm”.
By supporting HOW’s rescue initiatives — you empower us to partner with international rescue organizations to provide critical care and re-homing to animals in need. Every intervention we enable, every act of support we fund, moves us closer to a future where animals are protected, habitats are preserved and small actions create big change.

Donate – if you are inspired to help, 100% of the proceeds go to the rescue operation, transport and relocation. As a charitable 501(c)3 organization — you can received a tax deduction.

Report – Be the eyes and ears! If you encounter a wild animal in dire need of help — please let us know!

THE RESCUE LEADS

ANDY BLUE – INTERNATIONAL LIASON

Andy is the lifeblood of the rescue focus. He is a world-renown animal expert with leadership experience at the San Diego Zoo and Disney’s Animal Kingdom for over 30 years. His work has taken him around the world including to Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, and South America. Current work includes projects in Ukraine, Somalia, Iraq, and Cuba. As director of the San Diego Humane Society and Project Wildlife he oversaw care for 1500 injured or orphaned animals each year including Mountain Lions, Bears, Coyotes, and Raptors and more.

MICHAEL KOBERT – FOUNDER, HEART OF THE WILD

Michael has over 25 years professional leadership experience in wildlife husbandry and captive animal management. At the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, he oversaw the entire mammal population (100+ species, 2,100 animals, 800 acres of habitats) and acted as the interface with all local, State and Federal oversight agencies. . He has helped to re-home wild lives to the Middle East, Africa and southeast Asia. As a visionary leader he understands the needs for rescue, awareness and creating an “animal-first” Sanctuary model for the future

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

MIDDLE EAST

JASON MIER

Jason Mier – co-founder and Executive Director of Animals Lebanon, a leading animal welfare organization established in 2008. For nearly two decades, he has spearheaded legal reform, emergency rescue operations, and international wildlife relocation across Lebanon and the Middle East. Under his leadership Animals Lebanon has transformed from a local grassroots initiative into an internationally recognized champion for regional conservation. Jason is an extraordinary example of expertise and sheer dedication. It is an honor to support Jason’s rescue work.
https://www.animalslebanon.org/

AFRICA

ISINDILE BIG CAT SANCTUARY

Ansa and David are the heart and soul behind Isindile Sanctuary. Driven by a deep love for big cats and unwavering commitment to ethical care, they founded Isindile to provide a safe, lifelong home for rescued predators. Living on-site, they lead the sanctuary with passion, hands-on care, and a vision to create a sanctuary where every animal can thrive with dignity and peace. Truly both a professional and “heart-forward” forever home for wild cats that need re-homing – like the three lion cubs HOW helped Jason rescue from a dismal “zoo” in Lebanon. Thanks to these wildlife heroes they are now thriving.
https://www.isindilesanctuary.org.za/

SOUTH AMERICA

Yvette Kemp

Yvette Kemp is an internationally recognized animal-care expert with more than 30 years of hands-on experience in wildlife care, animal welfare, behavior, husbandry and enrichment. She has trained and mentored hundreds of animal-care professionals throughout Latin America, including in Mexico and Cuba, sharing the expertise needed to understand animals, recognize their needs and provide the highest standards of care. Her work has helped strengthen animal-care practices across Latin America, bringing professional expertise and higher standards of welfare to facilities caring for wildlife.