Community Outreach

A special behind-the-scenes tour of Ruth McConnell Animal Care Center.

Want to learn more about Inland Valley Humane Society? Then book a tour for your group today! Tours are available for school groups and other community groups (church groups, scout troops, day care centers, camps, etc.) Tours are free, but groups are encouraged to collect and donate items from our wish list at the time of the tour.

Tours must be booked at least one week in advanced. 

Virtual Shelter Tours

In order to maintain the health and safety of our community and employees, Shelter Tour groups are taken on a virtual tour of the shelter where they will see all of our adoptable animals and learn about our intake and adoption processes! Tour groups should consist of no more than 15 children. Visitors MUST be at least 5 years in age. Tours typically last an hour and are held Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Contact us for a tour

Part of our shelter kitten diversion program

Have you found a kitten and don’t know what to do? Every spring and summer, our shelter is flooded with itty bitty kittens who need extra special care. IVHS & SPCA wants to ensure that YOU know what to do if you find kittens, so check out all of the information you need to know here: Itty Bitty Kitty “Paw”-Ject

IVHS has partnered with Alliance Of Therapy Dogs. ATD is an international registry of certified therapy dog teams.

Our teams provide therapy in many settings, including but not limited to airports, assisted living facilities, rehab facilities, mental health institutions, schools, hospitals, cancer centers, hospice facilities, college campuses and can also provide therapy in patients’ homes. ATD doesn’t restrict where our teams visit.

ATD teams may choose to be members of local therapy dog groups. They may also participate in nationwide therapy dog initiatives with organizations like the Red Cross and R.E.A.D. Additionally, we allow our members to visit with teams who may be registered with other organizations.

Contact Melissa Matherly for more information

Students meet and greet with a Humane Officer and a special dog – 1968 

Are you looking for a fun and educational way to make a difference? Educational and interactive classes are available for groups of all ages. These classes take place in our training center and include a tour of our shelter. Classes are customized based on each groups’ age, needs and interests. Topics may include pet overpopulation, responsible pet ownership and careers in animal care and rescue. Classes include interactive games and crafts, and may also include special animal guests.

Class cost:  $10 per student
Minimum number of students:  5
Maximum number of students:  15
Class Duration:  2 hours

Classes may be scheduled Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Click here to fill out your request.

Do-It-Yourself Packet.

Collect items from our Wish List to help get our shelter animals adopted.

Here are few projects you can do at home. After you have completed a project, please contact our Volunteer Dept. at volunteers@ivhsspca.org to schedule an appointment to have your documents signed.

Pet Bed

One bed earns credit for 5 hours of volunteer time.

You Need:

•             New or clean used bath towel (BATH TOWEL ONLY)

•             Batting from fabric shop the thicker the happier

•             Needle and Thread, sewing machine would be good

•             Odd yarn (leftover yarn)

Directions:

Fold the towel in half width wise. Sew up the outside edges. Cut the batting to fit the inside of the towel and insert. Sew the opening closed. Now take pieces of yarn and stitch through the entire towel and batting and tie off. Place the yarn tie-downs evenly on the pet bed. This helps the batting not to shift and bunch when being washed. You have a great easy-clean-pet bed. The homeless cats and dogs do like these.

Cat Toys

10 toys earns credit for 5 hour of volunteer time.

You Need:

•             Baby Socks (BABY SOCKS ONLY)

•             Stuffing or fiberfill

•             Dry Catnip

Directions:

Take a baby sock and fill from toe to heel with stuffing. Now add a pinch of dry catnip. Pinch the sock around the heel and ankle. Stretch the ankle and cuff and tie itself close to the heel. Done! An easy cat toy to make and cats love it.

Bunny Garden

One garden earns credit for 10 hours of volunteer time.

You need:

•             Clean old margarine container

•             Potting soil

•             Seeds for grass, alfalfa, carrots, lettuce

Directions:

Punch a few little holes in the bottom of your container. Add your soil to 1 inch of the top. Moisten the soil and let it drain. Plant your seeds into the soil. Keep this moist but do not drown. Keep in moderate indirect sun. When the seed are 2 inches or more give the planter to the bunny and start another.

Presentations

The Inland Valley Humane Society offers presentations emphasizing kindness, compassion and respect for all animals. Each presentation is approximately 30 minutes and is customized to fit the unique needs of students, teachers and the school/organization. Each presentation discusses the role IVHS plays in our community, why pet adoption is important and one topic listed below. Two presentation topics can be booked for a full hour presentation. We continue to develop programs to meet the needs of our community, so if you have a different presentation in mind, please contact us to see what might be arranged.

Children learn about how to care for pets in Be Kind to Animals Week 1954. 

We try very hard to honor all requests but due to the number of requests, it is not always possible. Two to three weeks notice for any presentation is recommended and very much appreciated.  If you are interested in scheduling a speaker to visit your school or group, please click here.

Be Dog Smart

Children are the number one victims of dog bites! This lesson will teach students all the basics to keep them safe around family pets as well as strays.

Help Me Get Home

This presentation teaches students the importance of pet identification and what to do in the event a pet gets lost.

Pet Necessities

This lesson teaches students about caring for a pet. Students will learn how to be a responsible “pet parent” by identifying all the things that pets need to be healthy and happy.

Pet Overpopulation

This lesson teaches students about the tragedy of pet overpopulation and the importance of spaying and neutering, adopting from the shelter, and making a lifetime commitment to their pet.

Celebrate with IVHS

Spend your special day with pets at Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA!

The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, please be sure to steer pets clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations.

Be Careful with Seasonal Plants and Decorations

• Oh, Christmas Tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
• Avoid Mistletoe & Holly: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.
• Tinsel-less Town: Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
• That Holiday Glow: Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
• Wired Up: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth and digestive tract.

Avoid Holiday Food Dangers

• Skip the Sweets: By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.
• Leave the Leftovers: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills.
• Careful with Cocktails: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
• Selecting Special Treats: Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer.

Please visit our People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets page for more information.

Plan a Pet-Safe Holiday Gathering

• House Rules: If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.
• Put the Meds Away: Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.
• A Room of Their Own: Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.
• New Year’s Noise: As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. And remember that many pets are also scared of fireworks, so be sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.

Watch our Holiday Humane Heroes video