Our Journey in Saving Lives

The journey begins...

In 1957, Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS) was born when one woman, Betty Martines, rescued a dog that was dumped just off California Street in Yucaipa. YAPS was born out of Betty’s concern for stray dogs and her desire to save these pets from certain death. Her goal was to place them into loving homes, therefore a vision for a “no kill” shelter was born.

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YAPS incorporated in 1973, a 501C-3 non-profit organization, with the help and support of Betty’s husband, Jim. YAPS became a family affair and also became a focal point for the Yucaipa community. 60 years later, YAPS carries on Betty’s lifesaving mission and that one dog was just the first of thousands to be saved. Betty was a rescue warrior and a true rescue pioneer.

How did we get here...

Jim and Betty worked tirelessly to find a donated piece of property or at least one where they could afford to build a no-kill facility. They had a successful meeting with the County of San Bernardino, who generously agreed to lease three acres of land on 13th Street for a dollar a year to YAPS. Since incorporation, the City of Yucaipa has continued with the original agreement.

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A generous endowment from Grace Calkins, a dear friend of Betty and Jim and an avid animal lover, was used to break ground for a no-kill rescue facility on September 29,1983, at the current location on 13th Street in Yucaipa.

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Under the fourteen years of direction from Betty, thousands of cats and dogs were saved and placed into loving homes. Betty worked tirelessly coordinating rummage and bake sales, anything that could raise money for the facility until the death of Jim in 1991. For several years after Jim’s death, Betty struggled with running the facility because her heart was broken.

Us today...