About us
Our mission
Pacific Marine Mammal Center inspires ocean stewardship through animal rescue and rehabilitation, medical research, STEM education programs, and advocacy for a healthy ocean.
We are the only center in Orange County licensed to rescue and respond to sea lions, seals, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PLAN A VISIT
Our visitor yard is currently closed to the public as we are expanding our facility. While we cannot physically welcome you to our center, we are excited to provide new ways for you to stay involved in our mission! Check out details on our rebuild and stay tuned for construction updates!
Building a better ocean
We’re excited to invite you to join us as we usher in a new era for our organization - The Next Wave expansion.
The Next Wave Campaign will include:
A water reclamation system that will save our community 15,000 gallons of water every day
Increasing the standards of animal care
Improving our research capacity
Providing more students with access to our educational programming
Laying the groundwork for powerful advocacy that will help us as we Build a Better Ocean - one with fewer plastics and less chemical pollution.
OUR HISTORY
Pacific Marine Mammal Center began as Friends of the Sea Lion in 1971 with only three volunteers:
Jim Stauffer
John Cunningham
Dr. Rose Ekeberg
PMMC was the first marine mammal rehabilitation facility in California and was established before the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. We now share the responsibility for marine mammal rehabilitation with six other centers along California’s coastline.
Voices of pmmc
Hear real stories from the people who make Pacific Marine Mammal Center the healing hospital and educational non-profit it is recognized for today.
More coming soon!
Follow us on Socials
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO JOIN OUR MISSION?
GET INVOLVED!
While our center is currently closed to the public for construction, there are still plenty of opportunities to get active in our mission.