Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles Rebounds Under Dedicated Leadership And Successful Fundraising Campaign

SAN PEDRO — From the brink of closure to financial stability in less than one year, the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles or MMCC raised over $2 million from grants, corporate gifts, and individual donations to continue the mission of the San Pedro-based nonprofit animal hospital. MMCC is the only 24/7/365 safe haven that cares for injured and sick marine mammals in Los Angeles County. Since 1992, MMCC has rescued over 8,000 animals stranded on Southern California beaches from Seal Beach to Malibu. MMCC rehabilitates and releases the animals back to their ocean homes. 

In December 2019, MMCC announced an emergency $1 million fundraising need amid concerns its monetary shortfall would have resulted in its closure by June 2020. To guarantee operations through the busy seal and sea lion January–June migration season, a newly installed, all-female, volunteer Board of Directors rallied community and corporate support to exceed their fundraising goal in six months; their continued efforts garnered a record $2 million+ dollars to secure the short-term stability of the center. Although closed to the public due to COVID-19, the MMCC’s animal rehabilitation work continues, treating 215 patients last year.

MMCC’s new President/CEO Amber Becerra acknowledges their success is a step in the right direction, “Thanks to a swell of community support, we averted a major crisis. Without the Marine Mammal Care Center’s rehabilitation and conservation work, these animals would be left to die on our beaches. We’re grateful for everyone’s support and hard work during a very trying year of our financial stress and the region’s COVID-19 situation. We created a strong foundation for our journey toward long term sustainability, but 2021 will also be a mission-critical year. Caring for these animals is our life’s work but the Center’s future rests in increasing public awareness on the importance of ocean conservation. Continuing fundraising efforts, sustaining community interest and expanding educational outreach will help ensure the safety of the animals that strand on our beaches and the protection of our beautiful oceans.” 

Becerra formally accepted the position of President/CEO for the Center in February 2021, and will continue her push toward financial sustainability and has visions of growth and expansion for the future of MMCC. 

Details: MMCC accepts donations of hospital supplies, which can be purchased through their Amazon Wish List, available here. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/mmmc 

Those interested in making cash donations, can visit here. www.donorbox.org/help-us-help-them-get-home