A blue wolf replica stares at a blue Homo sapien replica. White text overlayed reads, "Living with Animals".

About the Exhibit

Over 15,000 years ago humans began sharing their meals with wolves, forging the first friendship between humans and animals–but where did we go from there?

Since then, we’ve formed all kinds of relationships with all kinds of animals, and we encounter them everywhere in our daily lives: they cuddle up with us on the couch, crawl silently through our walls, sit on our dinner plates, and more.

But whether we see an animal as a pet, a pest, or food has changed over time and across cultures, making our relationships with them dynamic and complex - to say the least.

Take a look at all the surprising, unique, and inspiring ways that we live with animals. You’ll find we’re not human without them!

What to Expect

In this exhibit, visitors will:

  • Learn how wild animals became our pets – from the ancient outdoors to our modern living rooms
  • Travel the world with roaches, pigeons, and rats to learn how humans created pests
  • Eat virtual meals in our diner from five different countries over the last 100 years
  • And lots more!

Exhibit Images

The entrance to the "Living with Animals" exhibit. A neon sign reads the exhibit title. Below it, an ancient homosapien crouches to face a wolf on the left. On the right, a human-like figure sculpture wears a paper macheted fox head.

Supporters

Thank you to our supporters:

Petco Foundation logo, Kitchell logo, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation logo, and text that reads, "Jerome D. & Anne Evenson Ryan".

Bank of Southern California 

Bowden Family Foundation 

Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation 

Cavignac & Associates 

City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture 

County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program 

Cultura 

The Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Foundation 

Rebecca Dickinson Welch & Gary Welch 

Dowling & Yahnke 

Hattie Ettinger Conversation Fund at The San Diego Foundation 

Heller Foundation of San Diego 

Hollander Design Group 

Mark Kassab 

The Loughridge Family 

Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation at the recommendation of Marnie Cheney 

Ron and Jarvis Pahl 

Dr. Seuss Foundation 

Linda & Ken Sumner

The Museum of Us recognizes that it sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation. The Museum extends its respect and gratitude to the Kumeyaay peoples who have lived here for millennia.

The Museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Affiliations & Memberships:San Diego Museum Council logoCharity Navigator Four Star Charity logoBalboa Park Cultural Partnership Collaborative for Arts, Science and Culture logoAmerican Alliance of Museums logoSmithsonian Affiliate logoInternational Coalition of Sites of Conscience logo
Financial support provided by:San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture logo
Museum of Us California Tower logo