About Us
Honoring Animals with the Safety, Dignity,
Respect and Love they Deserve.
Getting to Know Our Founder
Anita St. Lewis, a native Californian and lifelong animal advocate, is the founder of Healing Hearts Sanctuary SoCal, a no kill nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming innocent animals.
Animals have been an integral part of Anita’s life since childhood, teaching her compassion, trust, loyalty, and unconditional love. She often says that animals have saved her life — and now, her mission is to save theirs.
After spending many years in corporate America, Anita followed her heart and pursued formal training in animal welfare. She graduated from Southern Utah University and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where she studied how to operate a life-saving sanctuary. This experience, combined with her lifelong passion and deep empathy for animals, became the foundation for Healing Hearts Sanctuary SoCal.
Driven by compassion and the urgent need to reduce euthanasia caused by shelter overcrowding, Anita established the sanctuary as a safe environment where animals can heal and thrive — and where humans can experience the profound connection and healing that animals provide.
Join Anita in creating a world where Animals and Humans heal together.
Getting to Know Our Founder
Anita St. Lewis, a native Californian and lifelong animal advocate, is the founder of Healing Hearts Sanctuary SoCal, a no kill nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming vulnerable animals.
Animals have been an integral part of Anita’s life since childhood, teaching her compassion, trust, loyalty, and unconditional love. She often says that animals have saved her life — and now, her mission is to save theirs.
After spending many years in corporate America, Anita followed her heart and pursued formal training in animal welfare. She graduated from Southern Utah University and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where she studied how to operate a life-saving sanctuary. This experience, combined with her lifelong passion and deep empathy for animals, became the foundation for Healing Hearts Sanctuary SoCal.
Driven by compassion and the urgent need to reduce euthanasia caused by shelter overcrowding, Anita established the sanctuary as a safe environment where animals can heal and thrive — and where humans can experience the profound connection and healing that animals bring.
Join Anita in creating a world where Animals and Humans heal together.
Board of Directors
Anita St Lewis
CEO
Lou Palermo
Treasurer
Amanda Palermo
Secretary