Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Valverde
Hi Kris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it all began, but Ryan and I have always shared a deep love and respect for animals. From the start, we instilled that same value in our two kids. We’ve adopted all of our pets from shelters, and we’ve volunteered with a local dog rescue.
Our former home in Ramona sat on half an acre, where we fostered and adopted numerous dogs, cats, and even two mini horses. It felt like our own little sanctuary, and we always dreamed of creating a larger space—one where we could offer more animals a safe haven to live out their natural lives.
Then, by chance, we stumbled upon the perfect property—a place that would allow us to fulfill our dream. Without hesitation, we sold our home in Ramona and purchased the 10-acre ranch, along with the 40-acre lot next door. We wasted no time. We filed for our 501(c)(3) status and founded Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary.
Four years later, we’ve rescued and provided a safe haven for over 150 animals. We are 100% volunteer-operated and donor-funded, and it’s because of the support of kind-hearted people that we’ve been able to continue our mission. Our journey is only just beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Funding is always a challenge with unexpected vet bills, and the price increases for feed. Asking for donations doesn’t come easy.
Seeing the conditions that these animals come to us in or what they came from always guts us. It’s also hard when we have to just focus on the animals that we have and not accept new ones.
The weather can be a challenge as we live in an area where we can have some pretty extreme temperatures, and high winds. We have snow, we’ve had extreme summers, monsoons, and winds so strong that they have blown shelters across a pasture.
We also work at our local school so there are times when we are just exhausted. But whether it’s watching the horses run out to their 40 acre pasture, or seeing the pigs make their bed for the night, we know that it’s all worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are a 501c3 nonprofit. We provide sanctuary to animals that have no other options. Most of the animals that call Little Bitty home, have come from neglectful situations, have behavioral issues that make them unadoptable at a shelter, or have special needs. Our goal is to teach compassion and to show how special each animal is.
We mainly work with other bonafide rescues and shelters. Recently, during the fires in LA, we provided a safe spot for two pigs, 4 hens, and 4 roosters. Many that came from Pasadena Humane Society. We also offer tours and volunteer opportunities. Just email us and we will schedule a time.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We collaborate with several other rescues, including Pasadena Humane, All Things Hooved, and Reject Ranch.
There are so many ways to support us. Being a one time donor, monthly donors, social media supporters, our volunteers both on and offsite, our @chewy wishlist donors, supporters that donate through employee donor programs, supporters that have nominated us for grants and charitable funds, and even reading this and sharing our story!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_bitty_animal_sanctuary?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleBittyAnimalSanctuary?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Ryan Valverde
Kris Valverde
Darlene Scott
Zach Spicer (drone shot)
