A No-Kill, Non-Profit Animal Shelter.
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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 13th Street for a dollar a year to Y.A.P.S. and this continues to this day. A shelter was built on September 29th 1983, at its current location on 13th 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