Companion Animal Protection Society

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Thousand Oaks, CA
Companion Animal Protection Society

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HISTORY

When Deborah Howard witnessed the dreadful conditions at a Docktor Pet Center store in November 1989, she was appalled. Ms. Your help is vital.

Founded in 1992, the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and
puppy/kitten mills. The company had more than 300 franchises at that time. After learning more about the plight of pet shop and puppy mill dogs, Ms. Howard joined forces with Robert Baker, the foremost puppy mill investigator in the country. During his 13 years as chief investigator of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Mr. Baker inspected over 700 puppy mills. Howard, a former radio news reporter, lawyer and PR professional, formed CAPS in 1990. The nonprofit became a 501(c)(3) in 1992. As a result of CAPS' efforts, Docktor Pet Centers, Inc., which refused to do business without the sale of puppies, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February 1993. MISSION

Founded in 1992, the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shop and puppy/kitten mills. CAPS addresses animal suffering through investigations, legislation, education, media relations, consumer assistance, rescue and shelter reform. DONATE
https://www.caps-web.org/donate

Please help ensure that CAPS is there for companion animals - particularly those dogs suffering in pet shops and puppy mills - by giving as generous a donation as possible. On behalf of all companion animals, CAPS thanks you for your compassion. SUBSCRIBE TO CAPS NEWSLETTERS
https://www.caps-web.org/subscribe/

COMPLAINT FORM
https://www.caps-web.org/your-action-plan/caps-complaint-form/

INVESTIGATIONS
https://www.youtube.com/c/CompanionAnimalProtectionSociety

PUPPY MILL FAQ
http://www.caps-web.org/about-caps/puppy-mill-faq

CAPS PSAs
http://www.caps-web.org/outreach/public-service-announcements

OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA
www.instagram.com/caps_web
www.twitter.com/capsweb
https://www.youtube.com/c/CompanionAnimalProtectionSociety
www.vimeo.com/capsweb

CAPS President Deborah Howard:
https://www.facebook.com/CAPSPresidentDeborahHoward

10/26/2026

The Companion Animal Protection Society has just released a new documentary entitled A CAPS Investigation of Riverside County Department of Animal Services. This video exposes how incompetence and mismanagement at the four shelters run by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services have led to the mistreatment and suffering of animals and to a high rate of euthanasia.

A CAPS Investigation of Riverside County Department of Animal Services is one in a series of short documentaries about municipal animal shelters in California. We are releasing this series in the lead-up to the debut of The Crisis at California’s Municipal Shelters, our comprehensive documentary about the failure of many of the state’s public shelters to provide humane care for homeless animals.

Watch: A CAPS Investigation of Riverside County Department of Animal Services
https://vimeo.com/1206607578?share=copy

Learn more in the link below about CAPS’ efforts to reform California’s municipal animal shelters through outreach and legislation and watch the trailer for The Crisis at California’s Municipal Shelters.
https://caps-web.org/california-shelter-documentary-update/

How you can help:
Riverside County residents, please contact your supervisor to demand immediate changes for the animals living in the county’s four shelters. https://rivco.gov/board-supervisors

10/17/2026

UPDATE (10/19/26): Adopted! 🙌

‼️ URGENT ‼️ On Euthanasia List!

Rico - A1216996
1 yr & 9 mo, M, Shepherd & Pit Bull Mix

🐾 Energetic & playful
🐾 Attention seeker & loves toys
🐾 Friendly & social with other dogs
🐾 Food motivated
🐾 Gives kisses

https://tinyurl.com/Rico-shepherdmix
Petfinder link with more photos and videos

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS: caps-web.org/contact. We can help you coordinate transport on the West Coast.

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

10/17/2026

‼️ URGENT ‼️ On Euthanasia List!

Princess Celestia - A1256310
1 yr & 8 mo, F, Labrador Retriever & Pit Bull Mix

🐾 Independent & calm
🐾 Attention seeker
🐾 Walks well on leash
🐾 Affectionate & Sweet
🐾 Gives kisses

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS: caps-web.org/contact. We can help you coordinate transport on the West Coast.

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

10/07/2026

UPDATE (10/19/26): Adopted! 🙌

‼️ URGENT ‼️At risk of euthanasia!

Nyra - A1239182
11 mo, F, Australian Kelpie Mix

🐾 Walks well on leash
🐾 Friendly & social with people & other dogs
🐾 Calm demeanor
🐾 Affectionate & sweet

https://tinyurl.com/Rico-shepherdmix
Petfinder link with more photos and videos

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS so we can help you coordinate transport: [email protected]

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

10/02/2026

Bruce is a gorgeous, 3-year-old, 90 pound Border Collie mix who needs a forever home.

With the help of CAPS, Bruce was saved from euthanasia at Kern County Animal Services in Bakersfield, California, by Julie, an animal lover in LA. But this is only temporary. Bruce needs a forever home so that Julie, who already has three dogs, can keep saving high-risk shelter animals.

Bruce would be a great fit for active adopters who like to run or hike. He has received one month of one-on-one positive training and would love to continue working on his skills and learning more.

He’s gentle and calm, but because of his size he would be best paired with older children and other large dogs. He has a thick, luxurious coat, so he would thrive in cooler climates.

Bruce is currently in Los Angeles, but CAPS can arrange transport on the West Coast.

If you are qualified and interested, please reach out to CAPS at: caps-web.org/contact

Bruce is waiting and would love to join your family!

09/29/2026

Go undercover with CAPS as we investigate Petland McKinney in McKinney, Texas and expose their deceptive sales tactics. CAPS has investigated breeders and brokers who have sold to this Petland and the owners’ other store in Frisco, Texas.

You can read the Petland Mc Kinney investigation report on our website: https://caps-web.org/petland-mckinney/

09/25/2026

‼️ URGENT ‼️At risk of euthanasia!

Duncan - A1256952
2 yr, M, Labrador & Corgi Mix

🐾 Knows basic commands
🐾 Playful & energetic
🐾 Social & friendly with handlers
🐾 Walks well on the leash
🐾 Needs to be the only dog in the home

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS so we can help you coordinate transport: [email protected]

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

09/19/2026

UPDATE (10/16/26): Went to foster 🙌

‼️ URGENT ‼️At risk of euthanasia!

Marilyn Monroe - A1216995
1 yr, F, Pit Bull & Shepherd
Health Notes: Being treated for URI

🐾 Playful & loves toys
🐾 Loves water
🐾 Social & friendly with other dogs
🐾 Walks well on the leash

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS so we can help you coordinate transport: [email protected]

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

09/18/2026

UPDATE (9/22/26): We are devastated to share that we were not able to save sweet Becky. The shelter killed her this morning 9/22/26 before they opened and someone had just emailed us from WA saying she wanted to adopt her that same morning. Rest in peace, beautiful girl.

‼️ EXTREMELY URGENT ‼️On euthanasia list!! 🚨

Becky - A1254466
4 yr, F, Pit Bull Terrier Mix

🐾 Shy & timid
🐾 Friendly with other dogs & people
🐾 Sweet & gentle
🐾 Walks well on the leash

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS so we can help you coordinate transport: [email protected]

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

09/13/2026

UPDATE (9/18/26): Going to a rescue 🙌

‼️ URGENT ‼️At risk of euthanasia!

Kit - A1256737
1 yr, M, Terrier & Labrador Mix
Health Notes: Being treated for URI

🐾 Playful & energetic
🐾 Attention-seeker
🐾 Social with people
🐾 Loving & joyful

Kern County Animal Services
3951 Fruitvale Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Shelter Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10-4pm. Wednesday 2-7pm. Closed on Sundays

To adopt, please call or email the shelter:
661-868-7127 or 7128; 661-868-6981 or 6982; [email protected]

If you would like to adopt or rescue but are outside the area, please get in touch with CAPS so we can help you coordinate transport: [email protected]

**ALL fosters must LIVE WITHIN Kern County. Call 661-868-7130

We are not the shelter; we are working with the shelter to move at-risk dogs quickly. We will update this post once the dog is adopted.

Address

Thousand Oaks, CA

Telephone

+18054922277

Website

http://www.caps-web.org/

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