The Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. (IVHS) and the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society (SGVHS) are uniting to form a single organization. This partnership between two well-established animal welfare agencies in Southern California will strengthen our ability to provide outstanding care and compassion to the animals we serve and the communities that rely on us. The merger will take effect November 2025, with full integration expected to be completed within 12-18 months.

In November of 2025, IVHS and SGVHS will unify for the people and pets of the Inland and San Gabriel Valleys. For those serviced by San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, as well as community partners and adoption partners, no immediate operational changes will be seen. SGVHS will remain open, and community members will continue to interact through familiar channels. Over time, as processes align and teams cross-train, small adjustments will occur.

Animal welfare is evolving, and both organizations recognize the increasing need to care for animals with complex medical needs, behavioral challenges, and the growing emphasis on innovative programs designed to keep pets in their homes through proactive support services.

In 2023, the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society’s Board of Directors began exploring consolidation as the best path to enhance the aging infrastructure and improve state-of-the-art animal welfare services for the San Gabriel community while strengthening organizational resilience and sustainability. After evaluating potential partners, they identified IVHS as their top choice. Both organizations engaged in a thorough due diligence process, continuing discussions until both boards were confident in the decision. In early 2025, both boards unanimously approved moving forward with the partnership.

Both IVHS and SGVHS are first and foremost dedicated to caring for and finding loving homes for animals in our communities, fighting animal cruelty and abuse, and providing resources that help preserve the bond between people and their pets. While some processes may change, animals will remain the focus of the work done in both locations.

IVHS was established in 1949 and SGVHS in 1924. Collectively we have over 175 years of animal welfare experience and success. IVHS and SGVHS have worked together as collaborative partners for many years for the benefit of animals and pet owners.

Several successful animal welfare agencies in California, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin have combined in recent years. Cutting overhead costs and streamlining services makes sense to organizations that hope to make every dollar count to help animals in need. IVHS and SGVHS are proud to be part of this emerging best practice in animal welfare.

Yes, San Gabriel Valley Humane Society will keep its name, but will operate under the parent corporation of Humane Society of Pomona Valley, Inc.

All existing services provided by SGVHS will continue unchanged for the time being. For residents of the San Gabriel Valley, while we go through this transition, residents may see IVHS vehicles as well as SGVHS vehicles providing animal care and control services within the communities of Duarte, San Gabriel, and Temple City. These residents will also see IVHS’s Good Mobile, providing low-cost spay/neuter services for pets. Community members will continue to interact with familiar faces for staff and volunteers, while welcoming new staff and volunteers as time progresses.

For the time being, pet licensing will continue to be processed in-person at SGVHS. In November 2025, pet licenses will begin migrating to IVHS’s valued pet licensing partner, DocuPet (an online licensing platform). This tool enables residents to manage their own household accounts, while providing the added value of lost pet reunification. Residents will still be able to license pets in person at SGVHS if they desire.

The new partnership is being made public through local media outlets, as well as communication to city partners. Additional updates will be shared via social media and our websites as new information becomes available. Throughout the transition, we will maintain direct communication with key stakeholder groups to preserve the strong relationships both organizations have built. Most importantly, both locations will continue providing the essential care and services our communities depend on.