‘Pretty Little Liars’ stars take hike for wildlife rehabilitation center

Two stars from the popular television show “Pretty Little Liars” came to Poway on Saturday morning to support a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ramona.

Ian Harding, who plays Ezra Fitz, and Torrey DeVitto, who plays Melissa Hastings, met with fans before joining the 120 hikers on a 3.2-mile trek around Lake Poway. The Humane Society of the United States organized the inaugural Wildlife Hike-a-Thon to help the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center.

The 13-acre sanctuary and rehab center at 18740 Highland Valley Road treats orphaned and injured native predatory species of wild mammals and birds, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. It also cares for around 40 full-time animal residents rescued from the exotic pet trade and acts of cruelty, according to its website.

The center has trained staff and volunteers who take care of the wildlife. They specialize in hawks, owls, eagles, skunks, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions. Its facilities include a 150-foot, free-flight enclosure to help birds of prey exercise atrophied muscles after recovering from illness or injury and spacious enclosures for mammals to let them exercise, have same-species companionship and have minimal human contact. Those who can be returned into the wild are taken to their home territories to keep naturally-occurring populations in balance.

Harding said DeVitto introduced him to the humane society’s efforts and the co-stars visited the Ramona center last May to get an up-close look at the work accomplished there. During their visit they participated in the release of a red-tailed hawk, something Harding called “a once in a lifetime opportunity” for him, adding it was especially meaningful since he has been interested in avian topics for years.

DeVitto said she became involved with the Humane Society of the United States three years ago. Its work with the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center appealed to her because of its approach.

“It is not there to be on show or as a gimmick,” DeVitto said. “They have a respect for the animals ... who get to be in a natural environment. That is a main priority (for me).”

“They treat (the birds and animals) with a certain respect during recuperation,” Harding said. “Their birds of prey go by a number, not a name, because they go back into the wild.”

Both said they wanted to participate in the hike at Lake Poway because their presence would help bring awareness to the center and wildlife in general.

Amber Morasse, the humane society’s manager of celebrity engagement, said that once DeVitto and Harding announced via social media they were participating there were 60 additional hiker registrations within a week.

“They are using their celebrity as a platform for change ... a strong voice in the public eye that really gets the message out,” Morasse said.

Kady Michel and Nicolette Moyer, both 17, said they had already planned to participate in the hike because of their love of animals, but as “Pretty Little Liars” fans, DeVitto and Harding’s appearance made it extra “cool.”

“They are big stars, but they are normal persons (too),” Moyer said after meeting the actors.

Michel said she wanted to go on the hike because she knows money raised is going to animal rehabilitation.

Ali Crumpacker, the center’s director, said because this was an inaugural event organizers focused on it being more of a “friend-raiser” than fundraiser to increase awareness of the center’s existence and humane society’s work to help animals beyond dogs and cats.

“With awareness of what we do we can increase volunteerism, and it’s a good foundation for next year,” Crumpacker said.