Welcome To HSIMC

History of Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County

In the early 1980’s the forerunner of the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County called DAP (the Domestic Animal Protection organization) was founded. Its primary goal was to raise money for spay/neuter education and services. Funding came from individual donations, from proceeds of an ongoing rummage sale, bake sales and other fundraising efforts.

In 1988 the group voted to change the name of the organization to The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County. The newly named group concentrated on trying to establish a non-profit animal shelter and adoption center. Others kept the commitment to spay/neuter assistance and the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) was created.

In the early 1990’s Beatrice Breeze, a longtime supporter made a large contribution to HSIMC with the stipulation that the money be used to purchase property for a shelter that would serve both the communities of Willits and Ukiah. The property at 9700 Uva Drive in Redwood Valley was acquired and the shelter was opened in 1993.

Maintaining the shelter has been challenging over the years but the determination of volunteers and HSIMC members has carried the day. Time and again the community has stepped up when necessary to prove that they want THEIR humane society to continue to exist.

The shelter takes in approximately 500 animals, combined dogs and cats, each year. Many of the animals are owner surrenders but most of the cats and kittens are strays. We also pull dogs from the county shelter when possible.

The majority of the animals brought into the shelter have not been spayed or neutered, that surgery is done before they are put up for adoption. We make spaying and neutering a priority along with attempting to re-home as many animals as possible.

We continue to serve the entire community as a member-voting and locally supported organization. As a private non-profit organization HSIMC receives no tax-based funding, nor are we affiliated with any local, state or national humane organization. We depend on the generosity of individuals, the business community and our own ongoing fundraising efforts to continue fulfilling our mission.

Serving the inland area of Mendocino County

In the early 1990s, the late Beatrice Breese, a local long time supporter of the Humane Society, funded the purchase of a property to open a shelter to serve the inland area of the County.  The only restriction on her very generous gift was that the shelter be located south of Willits and north of Ukiah serving the inland area of Mendocino County.