#170 in United States, #20 in California, #1 in Riverside
11937 13th St Yucaipa, CA 92399
Service areas:
San Bernardino County, Riverside County, San Bernardino, Yucaipa, Calimesa, Riverside, Beaumont, Banning, Redlands, Mentone, Highland, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Forest Falls, Moreno Valley, and Colton
"YAPS has been a longstanding member of our community for over 60 years, saving hundreds of dogs and cats from euthanasia every year. We strive to not only help the pets that we take in but the surrounding community by providing resources to those in need and beyond."
— krista d.
Staff member
"Yucaipa Animal Placement Society (YAPS as many of us lovingly refer to it) is a place of dedication, compassion, and community. Animals surrendered and adopted in the YAPS system are family. The pets receive the love they deserve while the await their new furrever homes. There are often long days filled with overwhelming joys and occasionally sadness as stories of the pets unfold, past to present. The staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the best quality of life possible at YAPS. In an area where the homeless dogs outweigh the rescue and shelter space available, YAPS exists to house and rehome as many pets as they responsibly can."
— kristin s.
Adoptee, Staff member, Supporter, Fan
"I am a vet tech at an animal hospital that YAPS uses to take care of all their fur babies! They take the health and well being of all their animals very seriously! They take AMAZING care of their animals, never missing a recheck, treatment ect… They always get the animals the care they need ASAP! Not only do they take great care of their pets, but their staff and volunteers are some of the best humans I’ve ever met! They all have a love for this line of work and it really shows! YAPS is a great place with amazing people and even more amazing animals!"
— aimee b.
Supporter
"YAPS not only saves the lives of dogs and kitties in our community, they also save our citizens who are in need of the love and friendship of a furry friend. They never give up on a dog or cat until they find a forever home. They have a strong volunteer program that allows dogs to have social interaction/ training/ fostering. This I believe allows for many successful placements. They participate in the community with adoption events and fun fundraisers to bring the community together and raise money for the shelter. Ofc they take donations as well but I love that it is not there only way to raise money. They built a beautiful cattery for the cats. They also take a non judgmental approach to surrenders. Although I personally do not like people who surrender a pet, I understand that making it accessible and non judgmental actually saves more pets lives. I love this approach. If you find a stray, they will scan it and help you return the stray home. I hope you consider them, they truly go above and beyond"
— tracy m.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"YAPS saves lives! They had an open adoption event and we were able to adopt an adorable puppy formally known as zeek (benicio del torro now). He has brought so much love and joy to our home and without YAPS dedicated to saving his brother and him we wouldn't be whole."
— cecelia m.
Adoptee
"Yaps is an amazing rescue!"
— brianna b.
Staff member, Fan
"I love the outreach they do with the community and resources they provide. Not only that but I love how much they provide to help offer healthy outings and Stimulation for the dogs in their care."
— heaven h.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"We adopted our wonderful Boy Scout from YAPS. He was brought to the shelter with his mom and two siblings. They were safe and cared for by YAPS then we adopted him at 8 weeks old. Without YAPS saving the family who knows what would have happened to him. Scout is 4 years old now and we couldn’t imagine our lives without him."
— stacy t.
Adoptee
"I love volunteering at YAPS because I see firsthand the amazing work they do. They don’t just take in the easy adoptions but also the ones that need a little love. From socializing by reading books to the pups to pack walks, YAPS is a dedicated no kill shelter that has a staff and director that loves all animals unconditionally."
— simone s.
Volunteer / foster
"I have been involved as a volunteer at Yucaipa Animal Placement Society for about 8 years; even now, as I mostly live out of state, YAPS still has my whole heart and their updates make me smile. This shelter has shown me the power of community support and the strength that we feel in coming together to improve the lives of our local dogs and cats— in many ways, the connections among the YAPS volunteer/staff community also gives us a space to support each other at the same time. Our shelter is small but mighty, and continues to rescue hundreds of animals a year despite the trials and tribulations that come with being a deeply hands-on nonprofit organization. I also adopted a cat of my own from YAPS two years ago after fostering him as a kitten, which has truly impacted my life in so many wonderful ways."
— serena c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.