RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County-operated animal shelters have joined a nationwide adoption campaign to address critical facility overcrowding by offering reduced-fee adoptions through Sept. 30.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services is participating in the fall "Empty the Shelters" event, sponsored by the Michigan-based Bissell Pet Foundation. During the drive, the foundation will sponsor reduced adoption fees of $70 or less for cats and dogs at county-operated shelters. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
County officials said the event comes as local facilities face severe capacity challenges, with more than 1,000 animals currently available for adoption across the system.
"While adoptions continue to increase across our department, we are still battling significant overcrowding, and behind the numbers are the faces of animals who need action," said Dr. Kimberly Youngberg, assistant director of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
County facilities participating in the "Empty the Shelters" event include:
Hours for the Jurupa Valley, Thousand Palms, and San Jacinto locations are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Blythe location operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
County Supervisors V. Manuel Perez and Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez both urged residents to consider adopting or taking advantage of short-term foster programs to help free up space for incoming strays. Prospective adopters and foster volunteers can view available animals and sign up online at rcdas.org.
Founded in 2011, the Bissell Pet Foundation has assisted in placing more than 431,000 pets in homes through its "Empty the Shelters" campaign since the program's launch in 2016.
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