Wildlife Waystation Board of Directors

In 1965, Ms. Colette began caring for exotic animals in a three bedroom house – animals given to her by people who suddenly realized an ocelot was not intended to be a house cat. When the number reached 50 she purchased 160 acres in Little Tujunga Canyon, officially incorporating the Wildlife Waystation in 1976.

From that point on, this unique sanctuary grew exponentially from the number of animals it rescued and accepted to the places these animals came from. Under Ms. Colette’s direction, the Wildlife Waystation became internationally known, accepting tigers from Ireland and lions from New Zealand, as well as a variety of animals from across the United States. In 1995 Ms. Colette was also the first to accept chimpanzees from biomedical research. Today the Wildlife Waystation is the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the Western United States.  In addition, tens of thousands of native wildlife have been rehabilitated and successfully released back into their natural habitat. Since 1976 the Wildlife Waystation has rescued, rehabilitated and given permanent sanctuary to over 76,000 wild and exotic animals.

Ms. Colette has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including Designated Animal Expert for the City of Los Angeles; California Fish and Game Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years of dedicated service; and California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition for 22 years of tender loving care to the animal world.

Led by her godmother, Martine Colette, its Founder and Director of Animal Services. Since its inception, the Wildlife Waystation has provided shelter and care to over 77,000 animals. These animals come from all over the world and from many different situations. The 160+ acre enclave is fully licensed and is one of the most diverse facilities of its kind in the United States. The education provided by the WW is aimed at teaching the public how to help prevent endangerment and extinction.  Andrea now sits on the Board of Directors for the Wildlife Waystation and works full time as a Production Manager for MTP, Inc at YouTube Originals. With ten years experience in the entertainment industry, she has worked with many influential people whom she has been able to get involved with animal rights. Andrea’s goal is to make a large impact improving the lives and welfare of animals everywhere.

Please click here to learn more about Andrea and her dedication to the welfare of all animals.

Animals became her inspiration for a full-time career and materials she was able to collect such as feathers, quills and animal hair, became the centerpiece of her work. In 2010, Ms. Arntz founded Fauxtale Design fashioning feathers and other animal-based products into unique works of art including clothing, headdresses, costumes and jewelry. In addition to her professional career, Ms. Arntz continues to work with wild and exotic animals.

Via creative grant resources & connections, Mr. Apodaca blossomed his time and classroom activities with additional material submitted by classroom science sponsors -all donated or purchased by grants and achievement gifts provided by institutions such as Jet Propulsion Labs, Spectrum Labs, Warner Brothers and Jim Henson Productions.  Resource methods and styles were later recognized by fellow educators & school publishing units.  He later served as a School Publishing Consultant for one of the Nation's largest school publishing entities, GLENCO/McGraw-Hill and then with National Geographic SP.

Mr. Apodaca now operates his own ECO based productions, known as Line Jumper Talents™.  It is linked to National Geographic Explorers as well as heading mission programs that center on native awareness.  Expanding geographic awareness, LJT has been operating ecologically themed, studio, public relations and operative talent-casting source since 1998.