In Apple Valley, the proposed sale of our town's animal shelter to San Bernardino County threatens the well-being of both our pets and their owners. Our community members, who have contributed their hard-earned taxes to establish and maintain this shelter, now face the prospect of losing this vital facility.  What will happen to the animals that are found in town, if the county of San Bernardino takes over and the shelter is  at capacity from county/unincorporated areas  animals coming in ? Where will our residents of Apple Valley take animals they have found? Where will they look for their own animals?  

The county's plan to take control means our local animals might be transported over 30 miles away, making it incredibly difficult for residents to reunite with their lost pets.

It's not just about distance; it's about the emotional and physical stress on both animals and owners. Imagine the anxiety of knowing your beloved pet is far from home, in an unfamiliar environment, and that you have to undertake a long journey to possibly find it. This is not a fair outcome for our community, one that relies on accessible and local animal care services.

Apple Valley built this shelter with the intention of providing a safe haven for our animals and a convenient place for residents to access these essential services. Selling it might make a quick profit, but it undermines the very fabric of community care and responsibility that the town stands for.

By halting this sale, we can preserve what we already have and need. Let us urge our town council and decision-makers to find alternative solutions that do not disrupt the lives of residents and their pets.

Sign this petition to protect the integrity of Apple Valley's animal care services and keep our shelter local and accessible to all who rely on it.

UPDATE—-

Addressing the Crisis at Apple Valley Animal Shelter: A Call for County Support in the High Desert

The Apple Valley Animal Shelter plays a vital role in the High Desert region by taking in stray and surrendered dogs from both within Apple Valley’s town limits and from the vast unincorporated areas surrounding it. However, this responsibility has become increasingly unmanageable due to the imbalance in intake sources: approximately 70% of the animals come from unincorporated County areas, while only 30% originate from within the town itself.

This disproportionate burden has overwhelmed the shelter’s capacity and directly contributed to a high euthanasia rate. Staff members, already stretched thin, face the emotional toll of making heart-wrenching decisions due to lack of space, time, and resources. This is not a reflection of negligence or unwillingness to help—but rather a systemic failure to provide proper support for the region.

The High Desert comprises a significant portion of San Bernardino County, yet county-level investment in animal welfare infrastructure in this area has been insufficient. The shelter’s struggle is not just a local issue—it is a County issue that demands a County solution.

We propose two possible paths forward:

Increased County Investment in Existing Shelters

The County of San Bernardino should allocate funding and support to expand and properly staff existing shelters in the High Desert, like Apple Valley. This would allow cities to manage animals from their own unincorporated regions as well as share the responsibility across neighboring areas more equitably.
Construction of a Dedicated County Animal Shelter in the High Desert
If supporting existing shelters is not feasible, the County should consider building its own dedicated facility in the High Desert. This would dramatically reduce the intake pressure on Apple Valley and other local shelters, and significantly lower euthanasia rates. It would also improve the well-being of shelter employees, animals, and the residents who care deeply about them.

The current system is not sustainable, and the burden should not fall solely on one small-town shelter. The animals and people of the High Desert deserve better.