Victor Valley Animal Protection League

In 1956, due to the Victor Valley’s growing population of abused, neglected, abandoned and stray animals, a small group of people saw the need for an animal shelter and animal welfare program. They formed an organization called Victor Valley Animal Protective League (VVAPL), which was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1958.

(Per a VVAPL document dated around 1962 or 1963, the organization started as an expressed desire of John Charles Thomas at his death. Thomas was a popular American Opera, Operetta and Concert Baritone. His wife Dorothy K. Thomas was a driving force in VVAPL becoming a reality.)

The group started raising funds to build an animal shelter. In December 1960, Newton T Bass’s Apple Valley Foundation donated 5 acres on the corner of Zuni and Navajo roads. (Bass was one of the founders of Apple Valley.)

In April 1962, the very first animal shelter in the Victor Valley opened its doors to help the many animals of the Victor Valley communities.

To control pet overpopulation, VVAPL’s dream of a Spay/Neuter Clinic became a reality in March 1980. A weekly Vaccine Clinic was also implemented.

Today we are called VVAPL Humane Society and provide several importance services to help pets and pet parents: animal adoptions, low-cost vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, low-cost microchipping, and community education programs.