The FFA Wildlife Center opened in the 1980s with the donation of a shelter and property to the Fund for Animals. The Fund's director at the time, Cleveland Amory, wanted to use the property as a sanctuary, and he knew the perfect person for the job: Chuck Traisi. Traisi had helped Amory stop the U.S. Navy from killing about 4,000 goats on nearby San Clemente Island.

"We have made ourselves available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for emergencies involving wildlife," Cindy wrote in the introduction to her book. "We have cared for them and treated their injuries or illnesses with great diligence. We have set them free with unimaginable joy in their hearts and ours."

Over the years, the Traisis, along with staff and volunteers, created a sanctuary for predatory animals and built large flight cages to rehabilitate birds of prey from Cooper’s hawks to golden eagles. The center rehabilitates and releases 400 to 500 animals a year, with special emphasis on predators like mountain lions, coyotes, and raptors.

Chuck and Cindy had special relationships with the 40 permanent shelter residents who, for various reasons, can't return to the wild. These include Hanna the pygmy hippo, rescued from a doctor who kept her in his yard without adequate shade and water; and Samson the lion and Sheba the mountain lion, both rescued from the entertainment industry.

"Chuck and Cindy were the commanders of their vessel. They took it through highs and lows to get it where it is today," said Woodhill. "They taught us to go the extra step in trying to make a difference in this world as far as how we treat animals."
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