The doors to the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. are open to every animal in need. Because we are an open-access shelter, no stray animal from our community is ever turned away through managed intake. Many other shelters, animal care facilities, and sanctuaries define themselves as “no-kill” shelters. While we at the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. salute the work of animal welfare groups everywhere, we find the label of “no-kill” to be inaccurate. Organizations like these are better defined as “limited access” shelters because they have the option of turning away animals for health, behavior, and, in some instances, cosmetic reasons.  In order to comply with their idealistic arrangement and maintain their public image, they have to restrict their intake of animals to only those that have the best chance of being adopted.

As an open-access shelter, the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. takes in sick and injured animals and those that may not be probable candidates for adoption. Every day, dozens of pets that are no longer wanted are turned over to the caring hands of IVHS & SPCA; every day, we accept pets from people who are unable to care for them anymore; and every day, our doors open for the dozens of stray animals that are lost, abandoned, and homeless. At the core of the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. is our obligation to care for these animals and give them compassion and a second chance.