Lonesome Dove Adopted At Last From RivCo Animal Campus

THOUSAND PALMS, CA — A ring-necked dove who has lived at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus for an extended time has found a permanent place to roost, according to Animal Services Chief Jackie Schart.

"She has lived at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus since her owner died without leaving a spot for her to go in the will," Schart told Patch. Finding the dove, a type of turtle dove, a forever home was a long-term project, according to Schart.

Recently, the dove was taken off campus to an adoption event where her new owners claimed her as their own. That adoption event also found homes for about a dozen dogs and two cats, according to Riverside County Animal Services spokesperson Kerri Mabee.

Flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary made it impossible for prospective families to reach the pets inside for over two weeks. Often, the campus used its website to show the available pets and would speak to potential families and fosters over the phone. Pets were taken by 4-wheel drive through the muddy water to various adoption events.

"The desert was a total swamp," Schart said. Among the animals that waited out the storm at the shelter were 161 dogs, 78 cats, and the ring-necked dove.

Even though the campus was flooded, the shelter took in animals to the campus daily.

"Many animals were lost or abandoned at the shelter before the storm," Schart told Patch in a previous report. The campus also worked with outside agencies to find more places for the pets as they neared capacity.

Last week, the shelter thanked Ventura County Animal Services and Wings of Rescue, who recently helped transfer difficult-to-place animals from the shelter.

Ventura County took 23 cats and 27 dogs, and Wings of Rescue flew in Thursday to claim 20 large, difficult-to-place dogs and flew them to a humane society in Wisconsin.

Why you should provide for your pets in your will:

Animals like birds often have longer life spans and can outlive their owners. Birds, such as the mourning dove, only live four to five years in the wild but can live up to 16 years in captivity, according to Britannica.com.

Petfinder recommends suggestions for providing for your pet's future if they outlive you.

"As a responsible pet owner, you provide your pet with food and water, shelter, veterinary care, and love," Petfinder's website reads. "To ensure that your beloved pet will continue to receive this care should something unexpected happen to you, it's critical to plan ahead."

Ideas include ensuring your neighbors know how many pets you have inside your home, making a plan with friends or family who would take responsibility for your animals, or making a specialized plan within your will or estate trust.