About Us

Dedicated to Saving Every Pet

Friends was formed solely out of a desire to support the Upland Animal Shelter so that it can provide a high quality of animal care and find homes for as many animals as possible.

Despite the challenges associated with an open intake municipal facility that cannot turn animals away, we operate under a “no kill” philosophy that aims to save every shelter pet. We also transfer “at-risk” animals from other shelters on a routine basis.

We have worked in a collaborative manner with the City since our inception and today are honored to operate the sheltering and adoption functions at Upland Animal Shelter on behalf of the City.

Our History

A Committed Volunteer Organization

Friends of Upland Animal Shelter began as a group of volunteers who were committed to supporting Upland Animal Services with time, talent, and fund-raising activities. Friends created positive relationships with shelter staff and spent thousands of hours assisting at the shelter or at off-site events.

In August 2011, Friends was recognized as a member organization of the Upland Community Foundation. Friends formally incorporated as a non-profit organization and obtained tax-exempt status [Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code] in 2013. A nonprofit organization, Friends relies on community support.

In October 2015, Friends began operating 2nd Chance Thrift Shop to provide funding for all of our endeavors.

In May 2016, Friends was selected by the Upland City Council to expand our role in the shelter to include direct responsibility for all animal sheltering and adoptions at the Upland Animal Shelter, located at 1275 San Bernardino Road in Upland.

Finding a Forever Home for Every Animal

Friends now operates the shelter and works in partnership with the City’s Animal Control Officers to make sure every adoptable animal finds a new, forever home. Over twenty employees and several volunteers run day-to-day activities in three main areas of focus: Shelter Operations, Fundraising, and 2nd Chance Thrift Shop. Friends is led by a 7-member, all volunteer, Board of Directors, and receives support and guidance from several volunteer professional advisers to address veterinary medicine, animal behavior and training, finance and accounting, insurance and legal matters, and human resources, plus several standing committees that work on fundraising/development, finance, thrift shop and shelter operations.

Programs

A No-Kill Community

Friends typically cares for approximately 2,500 animals who arrive at the shelter each year. We also transfer in more than 500 at-risk animals from regional shelters. Over 90% of all animals are adopted, transferred to other rescues, or returned to their owners. Only extremely sick or injured animals who cannot be successfully treated, or extremely aggressive animals who cannot be rehabilitated, are considered for euthanasia. At over 90%, Upland is considered a “no kill” community. To achieve this, Friends operates four main programs:

Foster Care (A Better Start):

This program engages the community in caring for orphaned kittens and puppies that are too young and small to be adopted or stay in the shelter. Spending a week or two (or longer) in a home where they can grow, be cared for, socialized, and loved not only saves their lives but helps make them more adoptable.

Extended Care & Animal Advocacy (A Better Life)

Our Extended Care program ensures that every shelter animal has the time and attention needed to find their forever homes, no matter how long it takes. In addition, our Animal Advocacy Program pairs long-time residents with “advocates” who work on achieving positive outcomes for them.

Transfer Care (A Better Chance)

This program relocates adoptable, at-risk animals from other regional and State shelters to give them every chance of thriving and finding their forever homes. Through our own efforts and a partnership with ASPCA, Friends seeks out at-risk animals for transfer to Upland Animal Shelter. We also work within a network of shelters to assist during disasters, such as the Woolsey Fire, to make sure every abandoned animal has a safe place to go.

Furst Aid

This program provides veterinary care for every animal during their stay with us. We routinely provide vaccinations and medications to combat common ailments such as kennel cough and skin conditions. Some of our more unfortunate animals also need more advanced treatments or corrective and life-saving surgeries. Veterinary care is not only essential for the comfort and well-being of our animals, it ensures that they are adoptable and can find their forever homes sooner.

Low-Cost Adoption Fees

Friends provides these vital services FREE of charge to the City while also maintaining low-cost adoption fees for the community. Instead, Friends relies on monetary donations and donations of supplies to offset our costs.

Together We Can Save Them All

Donations support all aspects of running the shelter, including routine, advanced, and emergency veterinary care, food, medicine, supplies, staffing and shelter administration. We also operate 2nd Chance Thrift Shop at 972 W. 9th Street in Upland to help offset the cost of operating the shelter and gladly accept donations. We invite you to donate and/or get involved as a volunteer.

Microchipping

Daily, Call to Make an Appointment

Anyone can microchip their pets at Upland Animal Shelter for only $25 per pet. A microchip provides permanent identification for your pet that won’t fall off or become too worn to read. If your pet is lost and found as a stray, shelters, rescues, and veterinarians will scan your pet for a microchip and contact you.

Why Choose Us

Is Your Pet Lost?

Visit the shelter (and all other local animal shelters surrounding the area where your pet went missing) immediately. Do not rely on anybody else to “spot” your pet in a busy shelter environment. Look for yourself and check daily.

Check Petfinder.com daily.

Post your own “Lost” flyer with a photograph of your pet near your house.

Post a photo and spread the word via the internet and social media so others know to look for your missing pet.

Returns to Owners

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Pet Relinquishment

Send an E-Mail

Make an Apointment

A Committed Nonprofit Organization

Friends of Upland Animal Shelter (“Friends”) is registered with the State of California as a non-profit corporation in good standing and approved by the State of California Franchise Tax Board and federal Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) (Tax ID#46-2546783) public benefit charitable organization dedicated to finding a permanent home for every adoptable animal at Upland Animal Shelter. As required by the California Department of Justice, we are also registered with the California Registry of Charitable Trusts and in good standing.

Friends is a member of the Upland Community Foundation, Upland Chamber of Commerce, Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, California Animal Welfare Association, and a Best Friends Network Partner. In addition, Friends has developed strategic partnerships with ASPCA, VCA, Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine (Western), and many others.

Team Structure

Friends operates with a 7-member, all volunteer, Board of Directors, several volunteer professional advisers to address veterinary medicine, animal behavior and training, finance and accounting, insurance and legal matters, and human resources, plus several standing committees that work on fundraising/development, finance, thrift shop and shelter operations. While some of our advisers are paid for their professional services, none of the Board of Directors are paid, including the Director overseeing shelter operations and the Director overseeing thrift shop operations. Friends also employs a shelter manager and over twenty staff members at Upland Animal Shelter and 2nd Chance Thrift Shop. Our work is complemented and supported by volunteers.

Ready to Adopt a Pet?