Laguna Beach, Calif. – Pacific Marine Mammal Center today announced Kia Motors America (KMA) as a new partner of the non-profit organization, dedicated to animal welfare and ocean education. KMA pledged to support the center's efforts and environmental messaging in a multitude of ways, including the donation of a community outreach vehicle, participating in staff beach clean-ups, sponsoring recovering sea lion patients at the hospital, and more. The Kia Soul will be used to support the organization's mission of marine mammal rehabilitation and education.

"We are pleased that Kia has taken an interest in our cause, and sets a great example to other corporations about community philanthropy," said Keith Matassa, executive director, PMMC. "We look forward to working together to bring awareness to the public about environmental conservation and consideration to benefit our planet."

In 2013, PMMC was hit with the biggest crisis in sea lion pup strandings in the history of its organization. More than 375 marine mammals came ashore in need of medical attention in Orange County, causing a resource shortage for the rescue group. Reasons behind the mass stranding event point to a fish stock shortage-primarily sardines, that significantly influenced the influx of patients received by PMMC.