Our two founders, Kalli Quigg and Maya Benperlas who in the last year and a half have rescued over 1100+ animals together-run this rescue group with the incredible help of their amazing team of regular and part-time volunteers committed to helping the animals. We take our convictions and turn them into action. 

We at VIVA also work with disaster response teams in  the Southern California fires to provide a comprehensive network and system of dispatchers,volunteers,trucks and trailers to get hundreds and thousands of animals to safety. Along with our partners we have participated in a few hundred equine and Small animal rescues in just the Woolsey fire - Nov. of 2018, the Ridgecrest and Trona quakes and the Easy fire of 2019

Kalli Quigg:

Kalli found her passion for animal rescue after finding an ill kitten outside a slaughterhouse she was protesting at. This kitten was lying in rotting metal and broken glass, covered in infections. This kitten became her best friend and first success story. Naomi, the sweet kitten is the inspiration for Kalli’s rescue work. Kalli went on to specialize in kitten rescue and rehabilitation. More specifically in an ICU and critical care setting. Kalli also has an extensive background with feral cats, working in neighborhood colonies. Kalli also works with and has years of experience with farm animals, birds and other neonatal animals that find their way to her. 

Maya Benperlas:

Maya is an equine rescuer and rehabilitation specialist who started her work after falling deeply for horses. Maya began by working in a setting of over 350 critically abused horses with serious medical, behavioral and trust issues. Maya rescued a horse named Thunder, who inspired her to keep rescuing more. It became her life’s work. Maya has an extensive background in medical and behavioral issues in horses. She rehabilitates them bringing them back to health and using a series of training and gentling techniques. She then went on to farm animal and small animal rescue as well. 

We focus on getting quality medical care,rescue and personalized rehabilitation plans for each animal that comes into our care. Our first priority will always be what will be the best for each individual animal. We also strive to educate and bring awareness to industries in which animals are being hurt,killed,exploited or abused and bring light to those situations. 

We need contribution to keep funding our work. Both our founders work part-full time jobs to fund this rescue; So even that $5 you can spend on coffee would ensure our ability to continue to help even more animals. We can also always use equipment donations like trucks,trailers,cages,traps,food,sealed medical supplies, etc.