How does the adoption process work? What types of animals does YAPS adopt? How does YAPS get its animals for adoption? I can no longer keep my pet, how can I give my pet to YAPS to place it up for adoption? How long does YAPS keep its animals at the facility? Do you take animals on a temporary basis? Does YAPS accept stray animals? What do I do if I find an injured or orphaned wild animal? Can I request a specific breed of animal? Are kittens and puppies always available for adoption? I wanted to get a pet as a gift for a friend or family member, what do you recommend? Do you take donations of items to be used for the facility and animals? Are all of people at YAPS volunteers? How does the adoption process work? Our animals can be viewed either on our website under the adopt a pet tab, in person at our facility located at 11937 13th Street in Yucaipa, or you can call us for more information. If you choose to come and visit, feel free to wander through the kennels and cattery. If you find an animal that you like, please come to the office for more information. After that we ask that you fill out a questionnaire which will be reviewed by our staff, and you will have the opportunity to interact with the animal and learn more about its history and background. If after the meet and greet you decide that you would like to adopt the animal and our experience leads us to believe that it is a good fit, you can pay the adoption fee and begin life with your new best friend.       Back to top What types of animals does YAPS adopt? We adopt out cats, dogs, puppies and kittens. How does YAPS get its animals for adoption? Our animals come from two different sources. First, we take animals whose current owners’ can no longer care for them for a variety of reasons including finances, time constraints, health issues, or relocation. Finally, we transfer animals from municipal shelters throughout the region to relieve overcrowding and save the animals from the possibility of euthanasia. I can no longer keep my pet, how can I give my pet to YAPS to place it up for adoption? Since we are a small facility in which space is limited, we ask that you call us for an appointment. Each animal must pass a health and temperament screen before it is accepted into our program; our program is limited to non aggressive breed animals, therefore we cannot accept animals like Pit Bulls, Rottweiler’s, or Chow Chows. How long does YAPS keep its animals at the facility? We are a no kill facility, we keep the dogs and cats admitted into our program until they are adopted as long as they are physically and mentally well.       Back to top Do you take animals on a temporary basis? No we do not, however there are several local boarding facilities that will. We do assist local residents’ pets on the event of a natural disaster or emergency by temporarily housing pets during mandatory evacuation situations. Does YAPS accept stray animals? Unfortunately we cannot accept stray animals. Our goal as a private, nonprofit, rescue group is to give the lost animal every opportunity to be returned home before we re-home. Stray and abandoned animals are handled by your local animal control agency (link to Resources tab: Lost and found pets) allowing owners the opportunity to reunite with their lost pets. What do I do if I find an injured or orphaned wild animal? Throughout the year YAPS is frequently contacted about injured or orphaned wildlife. We do not have the resources to deal with wildlife, our resources are limited to domestic animals. For wild animals in the Yucaipa, Calimesa, and Redlands areas we ask that you contact the people below who are certified wildlife rehabilitators. They are trained to handle wildlife and their specific needs, so that they can get the medical attention and care needed then be returned to the wild. Please see the list below for folks in the area who can assist orphaned or injured wildlife:

Lenore Will    (909) 797-4569		Kandie Cansler    (909) 790-1010
Linda Chalk    (909) 887-8267		Penny    (909) 794-1871

Can I request a specific breed of animal? Yes we accept requests. We ask that you call us and tell us the details of the animal that you are looking for; we will take down the information and try to call you if and when it becomes available. It is recommended that you periodically check our website under the adopt a pet tab or call to check in and follow up on the status of the requested pet as we have a very small staff to handle such needs.       Back to top Are kittens and puppies always available for adoption? Puppies are available periodically through the year, however kittens tend to be seasonal. Kittens are usually available from late April through October. Please call us or check the available animals on the website for a current selection. I wanted to get a pet as a gift for a friend or family member, what do you recommend? Choosing a pet is a very personal decision, and we feel it is best that the person who will be caring for the pet be involved in the process. Since adopting a pet is a commitment for life, we feel it is very important that the person acquiring the pet be present to bond with him or her to insure the highest quality relationship for both of them. Gift certificates are available as an alternative, so that the person can come pick the pet for their life and home. Do you take donations of items to be used for the facility and animals? Yes we do. We can always use donations of blankets, towels, dry dog and cat food, moist dog and cat food, cat litter, dog and cat toys, treats, copy paper, laundry detergent and much more. Please see our wish list for more items of need (insert link to wish list). Are all of people at YAPS volunteers? No, but our paid staff is dependent upon the assistance of our volunteers to help with a variety of tasks around the shelter that benefit the animals we serve. Our volunteers play a critical role in socializing and helping the animals to adjust to life in our kennels and cattery as they await their forever homes. We also have volunteers that help in the office, assisting with the phone calls, filing, and paperwork. Others like to assist with generating funds to insure the longevity of the shelter through events and fundraising efforts. If you are interested in lending a hand to an animal in need please click here for more information.       Back to top