Our Mission
Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter is a small shelter with a big mission. We are the only no-kill shelter in the Morongo Basin, and we’re here to do one very important thing: end euthanasia in our region and bring real hope to the Mojave.
We’re a community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and we step in for animals when options are running out. We give dogs and cats the time, care, and support they need to heal, decompress, and find the right homes—not just any home, but the right one.
Every year, we help hundreds of animals who would otherwise be at risk. We treat every animal as an individual and make thoughtful decisions based on what gives them the best chance at a happy, stable life. No shortcuts. No one-size-fits-all.
Ending euthanasia isn’t a slogan for us—it’s the work we do every day. Being the only no-kill shelter in the Morongo Basin means we carry a lot of responsibility, and we take it seriously. Our goal is simple: fewer animals dying in shelters and more animals going home.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and so do the animals we care for. We focus on real, lasting matches that work for both the pet and the person, so everyone can succeed long-term.
We believe in doing things with honesty, transparency, and heart. We advocate for humane treatment, responsible pet ownership, and a sheltering system that values life.
If you believe animals deserve better, you’re already part of our community. Together, we’re building Hope for the Mojave—one animal, one home, one life at a time. 🐾
Legal Name: Morongo Basin Humane Society
DBA: Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Tax ID: 23-7398947
Our History
Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter began in 1972, during a time when the Morongo Basin was facing a serious need for help with homeless and abandoned pets.
Kay Baker — an animal lover and owner of Hi-Dez Kennels — stepped up in a big way, donating 3.5 acres of land in Joshua Tree to the newly formed Morongo Basin Humane Society. Because of her generosity, the shelter officially opened its doors in 1981.
There were challenges along the way — as there always are with grassroots efforts — but this community showed up. With local support, hard work, and determination, the shelter kept growing and evolving. In 2005, we proudly became a recognized no-kill shelter.
Today, Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter stands as proof of what a community can build together. What started with one generous act has grown into decades of lifesaving work for animals across the Morongo Basin — and we’re proud to carry that legacy forward.
Board of Directors
Our board is made up of local business owners, teachers, doctors, realtors, musicians, and creatives who volunteer their time because they care about animals and believe in this shelter.
We’re part of this community, and we’re committed to improving outcomes for animals right here in the Morongo Basin.
President; Dr. Mirona Petrus / Vice President; Robyn J. Celia / Treasurer; Christine Bostrum / Secretary; Jen Jungwirth
Directors: Lindsey Barnett / Mimi Mitz / Lee Joseph / Linda Krantz / Alison Paris
Connect With Us
If you’d like to stay connected to what’s happening at the shelter, follow us on social media. 🐾
We share new arrivals, adoption updates, upcoming events, and the everyday moments that don’t always make it onto the website. You’ll see the dogs and cats who need homes, the ones who just found them, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running.
Sharing a post or tagging a friend might seem small, but it truly helps our animals get seen by the right people. A lot of our adoptions start with someone simply hitting “share.”
We’re grateful for this community and for everyone who helps spread the word!
