OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN
San Gabriel Valley Humane Society is a private, 501c3 non-profit organization and is supported by contributions, grants, bequests, proceeds from pet adoptions, pet licensing and fees for services. Our Tax ID number is 95-1660842.
We provide animal care and control services to the cities of San Gabriel, Temple City, and limited animal control and sheltering services for the City of Duarte.
aN OPEN-access shelter
The doors to San Gabriel Valley Humane Society are open to every animal in need. Because we are an open-access shelter, no stray animal from our community is ever turned away through managed intake. Many other shelters, animal care facilities and sanctuaries define themselves as “no-kill” shelters. While we salute the work of animal welfare groups everywhere, we find the label of “no-kill” to be inaccurate. Organizations like these are better defined as “limited access” shelters because they have the option of turning away animals for health, behavior and in some instances cosmetic reasons. In order to comply with their idealistic arrangement, and maintain their public image, they have to restrict their intake of animals to only those that have the best chance of being adopted.
As an open-access shelter, we take in sick and injured animals and those that may not be probable candidates for adoption. Everyday dozens of pets that are no longer wanted are turned over to our caring hands. Every day we accept pets from people who are unable to care for them anymore and our doors open for the dozens of stray animals that are lost, abandoned and homeless. At our core is our obligation to care for these animals and give them compassion and a second chance.
View Articleour mission
The objectives and purposes of San Gabriel Valley Humane Society are:
To provide a safe refuge for all sick, injured, abused, and abandoned animals that have no other alternatives.
To lead the community in finding homes for all adoptable pets.
To foster compassion for all living things through education and outreach.
To promote the health and wellness of all pets in our community by providing accessible and affordable veterinary care.
To reduce pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs.
To prevent cruelty by advocating and enforcing animal protection laws.
OUR HISTORY
The San Gabriel Valley Humane Society’s Founder was Mrs. Fannie Thompson Kessler, a preacher’s daughter from Elkhart, Indiana who became a fearless, female trailblazer.
Born before the Civil War, in 1859, and widowed in 1895, she married Warren Kessler, a successful businessman, in 1905. She was hardworking and well-traveled. Fannie became an outspoken advocate for animal rights. She organized the American Animal Defense League to combat cruelty in the training of animals for vaudeville, movies and circuses. In 1924, at the age of 65, she founded the Alhambra-San Gabriel Humane Society, which provided services for both farm and domestic animals. The shelter doubled in size when its neighbor property was donated in the interest of Fannie’s humanitarian work.
