Animal Town Sanctuary in Hemet operates with a philosophy you won’t find at most shelters. This 501c3 nonprofit focuses exclusively on rescuing Siberian huskies and malamutes, with a particular commitment to senior dogs who might otherwise struggle to find placement. Rather than emphasizing adoption, they’ve built their mission around providing permanent, lifetime care for these dogs.

The sanctuary sits on 10 acres with a ranch house and climate-controlled outbuilding. What makes the space work is the design philosophy—there are no cages. Dogs have the freedom to move around the property, interact with each other, and spend time in the fenced lawn areas surrounded by trees. They’ve also developed an organic garden on-site specifically to grow food for animals with special dietary needs, which speaks to how thoughtfully they approach individual care.

You’ll notice the education component is central to what they do. Animal Town Sanctuary regularly reaches out to the public about husky and dog care, with nutrition as their main educational focus. They’re also vocal about spaying and neutering and actively work to raise awareness about animal abuse reporting.

If you’re in Riverside County and have a husky or malamute that needs help, or you’re interested in supporting rescue work focused on these specific breeds, this sanctuary offers something different from traditional adoption-focused shelters. The emphasis on long-term care and education rather than quick placements means dogs here, especially seniors, get the stability they need. The staff clearly understands that some older dogs need a home for life rather than another transition, and they’ve built their entire operation around making that possible. It’s worth learning more about what they do if large breed rescue is something you care about.