Victor Valley Animal Protective League to cease operations
The decades-old Apple Valley animal shelter will temporarily cease operations at the end of April, Victor Valley Animal Protective League Board of Directors announced.
The league cited several factors for the closure, including the loss of its full-time veterinarian and increasing costs of the facility located on Zuni Road. For nearly 60 years, the organization has provided shelter to stray and abandoned animals, and those rescued from abuse and neglect.
On Friday, the league officially gave a 30-day termination notice to the City of Victorville for animal sheltering services, along with their decision not to renew the animal services contract.
“VVAPL’s Board of Directors and employees have valued the long relationship with the city in our joint quest to provide quality care to the animals of the Victor Valley,” the organization stated.
The league will suspend animal shelter operations after the remaining adoptable animals are placed in homes or transferred to rescues.
After April 30, the league will no longer accept animals or provide low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services to public animals. Animal adoptions will continue until all adoptable animals are placed in homes or transferred to rescues.
After the remaining animals are placed and shelter operations suspended, the board will decide on the best path forward for the nonprofit to continue with its mission to save animal lives.
“Suspending shelter operations does not mean the end of the animal shelter. In many ways, it will be a new beginning,” said VVAPL Board President Terry Saenz. “While this transition is not without pain, it became clear after the recent pandemic deluge of animals, increasing costs, loss of the full-time vet, and not finding a replacement after over six months of a nationwide search, the reimbursement from the city contract, along with donations, is not enough to sustain operations in its current form."
The board is looking forward to building a sustainable model using a variety of revenue streams and keeping founders Charles and Dorothy Thomas’ dream alive of an animal shelter that continues for years to come to "Make a Difference One Life at a Time,” Saenz added.
Victorville city officials said they are working with the league to house animals currently at the shelter.
“The city is already exploring new options for sheltering services,” Victorville spokeswoman Sue Jones said. “For now, VVAPL will continue to honor spay/neuter appointments and provide sheltering services through April 30.”
The city is temporarily suspending owner turn-ins of unwanted pets.
"During this brief transition phase, we encourage pet owners to work with family and friends to find a caring home for their unwanted pets," Jones said. "Additionally, we encourage residents to continue to license and microchip their animals.”
Jones added that the city is committed to continuing to provide quality animal shelter services for its residents and that they will release more definitive plans about its sheltering services in the coming days.
“We appreciate the tremendous support we have received from the Victor Valley Animal Protective League throughout the past 20-plus years,” Jones said. “We value their dedicated service to providing for the health and welfare of stray animals in Victorville. We wish the VVAPL Board of Directors the best as they explore a more sustainable financial model going forward.”
A lasting impact on the community
Several animal lovers took to social media to share thoughts on the shelter's closure, including Southern California animal handler Alana Voeller.
“You all have saved so many animals. Your dedication and difficult hard work has made so many lives happy,” Voeller said. “You are one of the outstanding facilities. My family has been blessed by the work you have done and it is heartbreaking that you must find a new way.”
"Please don't ever forget the impact you have had on both people and the fur babies you have worked so hard to help," Voeller added
Some residents expressed their understanding of the league's decision.
“This is not the fault of VVAPL or their board, all non-profits are struggling these days,” Suzy Moren said. "The fault lies with the lack of low-cost spay and neuter programs and the apathy of the general public to properly care for their animals.”
“VVAPL is the best facility up here. No one works harder to save the animals in their care,” Moren said. “With hundreds of dogs coming into local shelters every day the system just can’t keep up.”
60th Anniversary led to landmark status
In 2022, the VVAPL hosted its 60th Anniversary Grand Reopening and Ribbon Chewing Ceremony.
During the event, the nonprofit dedicated its newly renovated cattery and unveiled the site’s recent designation as a historical landmark by the Town of Apple Valley. The organization also unveiled the renaming of the facility’s LifeSaver Medical Fund and introduced its new veterinarian.
The Town Council voted in 2021 to add the VVAPL property to the town’s list of historic landmarks.
The town’s Historical Advisory Committee proposed the addition of the VVAPL as a point of interest via the Historical Landmark and Points of Interest Program.
VVAPL applied to join the program and met the established criteria for a listing, according to the town. The historical committee unanimously approved the application in July 2021.
Shelter history
1956: An informal group met with National Humane Society Field Representative Larry Andrews about the need for an animal shelter in the High Desert. He advised the group to begin the incorporation process and to include a spaying program.
1958: The VVAPL was incorporated as a nonprofit.
1959: The organization’s goal is to build an animal shelter centrally located, preferably near downtown Victorville since they served the entire Victor Valley.
1960: Norma Anderson, a WWII test and transport pilot for the Women’s Air Forces Services Pilots, was elected board president. In December, Newton T. Bass’ Apple Valley Foundation donated 5 acres on the corner of Zuni and Navajo roads.
1962: Dorothy K. Thomas, the wife of popular Opera singer John Charles Thomas, is elected board president. She was noted as being instrumental in the formation and continued success of VVAPL. The original plan was to call the shelter the High Desert Humane Society.
1962: In April, the VVAPL opened the first animal shelter in the Victor Valley.
1962: VVAPL held a dedication ceremony on May 12.
1980: To control pet overpopulation, VVAPL’s dream of a spay/neuter clinic was dedicated to Jane Dollar. VVAPL also opened a weekly vaccine clinic.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley Animal Protective League to cease operations
