For Wallis Annenberg, the human-animal bond was a mutually beneficial relationship that deeply impacts health and well-being – including for her. Rarely without a beloved dog by her side, she often spoke about the joy and comfort companion animals brought her. And that joy did more than shape her personal life. It helped shaped her philanthropy.
She understood that animals change us for the better. They teach responsibility and empathy. They anchor families in routine and care. They encourage movement, improve health, and draw people into community with one another.
In her view, the wellbeing of animals and the wellbeing of people were inextricably linked , a belief that would also inform her broader conservation work, including her support of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.
Over time, she began to imagine an interactive community space where that overall philosophy could take tangible form. A destination devoted entirely to further strengthening the bond between people and pets. Not just a shelter. Not just an adoption center. But a community center that could help by taking in dogs and cats from the area’s overcrowded shelters and make them available for adoption – a place which elevated how pet owners care for animals and how animals, in turn, enrich the people and neighborhoods around them.
That vision became Wallis Annenberg PetSpace.
Founded in 2017 as a project of the Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, PetSpace was the result of years of thoughtful planning and collaboration. What emerged in Playa Vista, California, was a purpose-built, high-tech, high-design community destination integrating pet adoptions and medical services, interactive educational exhibits, community programming, and high-level convenings under one roof.
Wallis assembled a team of leading experts in animal care and facility design, including architect George Miers, a national authority who had consulted on more than 20 animal shelters, and designer Bill Smith of Storyline Studio. At Wallis’s direction, they created a state-of-the-art environment guided by a clear philosophy: play, adopt, learn, and grow.
Every element was designed with intention. Instead of traditional caged boarding, dogs are housed in well-lit private suites that prioritize comfort and calm. Prospective adopters meet animals in welcoming rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing interaction in a setting that feels peaceful and considered. Cats socialize in expansive, thoughtfully designed spaces, while puppies build confidence in dedicated play areas. Expanded medical facilities, specialized cleaning systems, an outdoor play yard, a cutting-edge grooming room, and a physical therapy area ensure comprehensive care for every animal.
Transparency was central to the design. Wallis Annenberg wanted PetSpace and everything within it to be completely open and accessible. The facility was designed to offer public tours with full access to the entire space, including behind-the-scenes medical and holding areas. Unlike traditional shelter models, where back-of-house operations are often hidden from view, PetSpace invites visitors into every aspect of the work. This openness builds trust, reinforces accountability, and reflects a belief that animal care should be visible and shared with the community.
Interactive and educational features are woven throughout the building. Storyline Studio introduced playful animatronic installations and illustrated narratives embedded in the walls, exploring the history and significance of the human-animal bond. Visitors learn as they move through the space, reinforcing that PetSpace is as much about understanding animals as it is about adopting them.
From the beginning, PetSpace was also envisioned as a center for dialogue and scholarship. Community rooms and lecture spaces host training sessions, workshops, and public programs. Loyola Marymount University biology professor Eric Strauss and the LMU Center for Urban Resilience partnered early in the process to help shape a space capable of supporting interdisciplinary research and policy discussions through what would become the PetSpace Leadership Institute.
PetSpace was built not simply to house animals, but to elevate how communities think about caring for them.
Since opening, PetSpace has facilitated more than 4,000 pet adoptions and welcomed nearly 170,000 visitors. Each placement represents more than a saved life; it represents a carefully supported beginning, one designed for long-term success for both pets and their new families.
Those outcomes reflect a deliberate philosophy: adoption should be welcoming, informed, and supported. PetSpace is designed to make the experience accessible and affirming, helping families feel confident in choosing the right companion for their lives.
The process begins long before a family fills out paperwork. In partnership with local shelters across Los Angeles, many of which face overcrowding, dogs and cats arrive to receive veterinary care, behavioral enrichment, and daily care in a calm, intentionally designed environment. Animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and medically prepared before they are introduced to prospective adopters.
The building itself reinforces that approach. Light-filled rooms replace crowded corridors. Interactive displays provide clear information about each pet’s temperament, age, and compatibility, helping families consider not just who they fall in love with, but who truly fits their lives.
Adoption at PetSpace is intentional. Visitors are encouraged to slow down, ask questions, and think carefully about lifestyle and long-term commitment. When a match is right, the bond endures.
PetSpace was never designed to simply move animals through a system. It was built to strengthen the entire ecosystem around them.
Education and enrichment are woven into the daily rhythm of the center. Dog training classes, grooming demonstrations, lectures, and youth camps equip families with the knowledge and confidence to care well for their pets. School groups engage in hands-on experiences that cultivate empathy and responsibility from an early age. Veterinary clinics provide vaccinations and wellness checks, reducing barriers to care and supporting long-term health.
Beyond the building, PetSpace contributes to the broader field of animal welfare. The PetSpace Leadership Institute convenes global scholars and practitioners to explore the science of the human-animal bond, examining topics such as healthy aging and the evolving dynamics of human-dog interaction. The throughline remains clear. Caring for animals well contributes directly to human wellbeing.
Research reinforces what Wallis believed instinctively: pet ownership is associated with increased physical activity, improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and stronger social connections. PetSpace brings those insights into practice, translating research into real-world impact for families across the Los Angeles region and beyond.
Wallis Annenberg believed in building community spaces that draw people in. When people gather around something they love, connection follows.
PetSpace was designed with that belief at its core.
Alive with children learning how to gently hold a rabbit for the first time. Alive with families seeking guidance on training and pet care. Alive with neighbors gathering for pet-friendly events that transform shared affection for animals into shared experiences.
From spring, summer, and holiday youth camps to school partnerships, workshops, and wellness clinics, PetSpace functions as a community classroom as much as an adoption center. Children develop empathy through direct interaction. Pet owners gain confidence through education and preventative care. Even visitors who are not adopting leave with a deeper understanding of what the human-animal bond offers and what it requires.
Joyful events reflect that same spirit of connection. Comedy shows where dogs sit beside their owners. Public conversations about companionship and care. Interactive spaces that spark curiosity and dialogue.
PetSpace supports pets. It supports owners. It strengthens the connections that form between people because of their animals, a reminder that belonging often begins with something as simple as a shared walk, a quiet moment, or a wagging tail.
Today, PetSpace stands as a living expression of Wallis Annenberg’s vision: a place where animals are treated with dignity, where adoption is welcoming, informed, and accessible to families across communities, where education shapes better outcomes, and where people gather around shared compassion.
As part of the Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation’s commitment to innovative, community-centered philanthropy, PetSpace reflects a belief that strengthening the human-animal bond strengthens society itself.
The work is ongoing. The connections continue. Every day, people and pets leave stronger, beginning new and better lives together.
“It starts with a deep connection to the cause. I have to give from my heart, first and foremost.”
12005 Bluff Creek Dr, Playa Vista, CA 90094
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