The Mission and History of YAPS

Our Mission:

Yucaipa Valley Animal Placement Society is a no kill, nonprofit animal shelter that strives to prevent the euthanasia of dogs and cats in shelters throughout the region by providing them a temporary safe haven until a permanent loving home can be found.

The History of Yucaipa Animal Placement

Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (Y.A.P.S.) was founded by Betty Martines in 1957. At that time, homeless dogs and cats were wandering the streets of Yucaipa with no where to go, except to Betty's home. YAPS was born out of Betty's great concern for their welfare, and her desire to save these animals from certain death, the ultimate goal being to place them into loving homes, therefore a vision for a no kill shelter was born.

Y.A.P.S. incorporated in 1973, a 501C-3 non-profit organization, with the help and support of Betty's husband, and most ardent supporter, Jim. Together they worked tirelessly to find a donated piece of property or at least one they could afford to see their dream come true. They finally met with the Countyof San Bernardino, who generously agreed to lease three acres of land on 13^th Street for a dollar a year to Y.A.P.S. and this continues to this day. A shelter was built on September 29^th 1983, at its current location on 13^th street.

Under the fourteen years of direction from Betty, hundreds or perhaps thousands of animals were saved and placed into loving homes. Betty worked tirelessly coordinating rummage and bake sales, anything that could raise money for the shelter until the death of Jim, her best friend, constant companion and husband. For several years after Jim's death in 1991, Betty struggled with the shelter as it almost floundered.

Since then the shelter has had several directors all who have made a lasting impression on the shelter and the animals it serves, creating new programs to help pets and their people, in addition to maintaining the old ideals of the past. YAPS most popular programs are listed below along with a summation of its accomplishments throughout its many years of existence.

Y.A.P.S. Animal Rescue Program

Senior Pet Companion Program

Youth Volunteer and Adult Volunteer Program

Coauthor and Distributor of the City of Yucaipa's Spay and Neuter Voucher Program

A quick summation 1999- present

• 2002 Excellence in Education Award from theSan BernardinoBoard of Education. For our work with the children in our community.
• Authored and implemented the Emergency Horse and Livestock Program with the City of Yucaipa and County of San Bernardino.
• Lobbied and obtained AB60 to allow pets into mobile home parks.
• Successfully lobbied the City of Yucaipa to bring licensing in-house.
• Authored ordinance 212-making our streets safer for our community.
• Authored and implemented the City of Yucaipa's First Spay and Neuter Program.
• Created and implemented solutions for our community and surrounding area's to co-exist with our wildlife with our Wildlife Corridor Program endorsed by the Cities of Calimesa, Yucaipa and the County of San Bernardino.
• 2005 Commendation by the City of Yucaipa for community and humanitarian service for the work at the shelter
• 2010 Women of Distinction Award to Executor Director, Nicole Laffey for the 63^rd assembly district
• 2010 Citizen of the year for the City of Yucaipa presented to Executive Director, Nicole Laffey
• Created the Senior Program, funded by the Community Foundation of Riverside to assist low income seniors with the costs of pet ownership.
• 2010 YAPS opened its first onsite surgical suite. Small but fully functioning, this clinic allows YAPS to not only alter all their own pets, but address other concerns like teeth cleaning, blood work, etc.
• 2011, created Project Pet a grant funded program that assists low income individuals with the veterinary costs associated with pet ownership.
• 2009, implemented the City's first low cost vaccine and microchip clinic for seniors working with the local senior center to promote the clinic.
• Distribute the Purina Pets for People grant funding allowing discounted adoptions for senior citizens age 60 and older.
• 2012 Woman of the Year for the 65th assembly district by Assemblyman Paul Cook.