The Central California SPCA (CCSPCA), founded in 1895 and located in Fresno County, California, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit humane society. Click Here to view our By-laws.
Our History
The first Articles of Incorporation, issued to The Fresno Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on November 14, 1895, is undeniable proof of the long-standing dedication the organization has had to keeping the animals of the community safe.
In the following year of 1896, the society petitioned for and received an additional set of Articles of Incorporation for the establishment of the Fresno Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
During the years of the Great Depression, the two societies struggled financially and eventually let their Articles of Incorporation expire in 1945. One year later, a group of approximately 60 Fresno citizens concerned about the conditions of the city pound, met and celebrated Be Kind to Animals Week on April 11, 1946, by formally reorganizing the Fresno County Humane Society.
By-laws for the organization were adopted, a board of nine directors was elected, and the required signatures obtained on Articles of Incorporation to be filed at once with the Secretary of State of California. On August 16, 1946, the organization was officially incorporated as Fresno County Humane Society. The general purposes of the Fresno County Humane Society were to provide ways and means of enforcing the legal provisions regarding the prevention of cruelty to animals and “to labor in educating public sentiment for humanity and other animals.”
Over the ensuing years, members of the society became concerned with the developing confusion of Fresno area residents that the society was actually a department run by the Fresno County government. So on September 6, 1958, the Fresno County Humane Society’s name was changed to the Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CCSPCA).
Our Vision Statement
To lead our community in promoting a high quality of life for animals.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide protection, placement, and education to ensure responsible animal care.
Our Core Values & Beliefs:
Compassion
We balance responsibility with compassion in everything we do for the betterment of animals.
We reach out to those animals in need without hesitation or judgment.
Commitment
We are passionately dedicated to our work and animals in our care.
We believe our commitment to compassion, respect, and kindness sets us apart.
Honesty and Integrity
We accept responsibility for our actions.
We demand of ourselves the highest level of integrity and professionalism in our dealings with each other, customers, and our community.
Respect
We respect animals, individuals, and organizations that we work with everyday.
We strive to demonstrate respect in all our actions.
Proactive
We are committed to leading and fostering an environment in which every member of our community nurtures the spirit of treating animals humanely.
Together we lead by example and with excellence.
Community Resource
We are committed to providing valuable knowledge and expertise in the field of animal welfare.
We believe that teaching compassion and respect strengthens our community.
What we do:
As the premier animal welfare organization in California’s Central Valley, we are committed to leading and serving our community of animals and people by providing programs and services which serve all the stages of an animal’s life. These programs include Adoptions, Rescue, Humane Investigations, Foster Care, Owner Surrenders, Outreach, Humane Education, Veterinary Services, Spay/Neuter programs, and many other Pet Services.
The modern facilities and our caring staff offer safe refuge, nourishment, medical care, and love to every animal in our Animal Center. Shelter is provided for those owned but temporarily without homes because their owners can no longer keep them.
The CCSPCA does not receive funding from any federal, state, or local government agency, nor any national organization (including the ASPCA). The CCSPCA owns its own land, buildings, and equipment purchased with privately donated funds. Our funds come from our loyal supporters, allowing us to provide many vital services to our community.
70 Years of History