'Barkchella': RivCo Offers Free Pet Adoptions For 2 Weekends

RIVERSIDE, CA — "Barkchella" — a festival of fee-waived pet adoptions — has returned to Riverside County shelters.

For two weekends, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services will offer fee-waived adoption events to help connect loving homes to shelter pets across the region.

Coinciding with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Barkchella will run April 9-12 and April 16-19at all county shelter locations, giving potential pet parents a chance to adopt dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at no cost.

READ MORE: 'Overlooked' RivCo Dog Travels To Michigan To Find Forever Home

Among the many dogs looking for homes is Janet, an 18-month-old spayed female Rottweiler mix who has been waiting over 180 days at the Western Riverside Animal Campus. Sweet and affectionate, Janet enjoys walks, gets along with other dogs, and loves a good scratch. She can be visited at 6851 Van Buren Blvd. in Jurupa Valley.

“We have so many wonderful dogs and with summer right around the corner, now is the time to find your hiking, swimming, outdoor companion who can share in your adventures,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “It’s nearly impossible to not fall in love when you visit our shelters and meet these amazing pets.”

The shelter system currently houses over 1,000 dogs and 90 cats, all ready to go home today. For those who are unsure about committing to adoption right away, the department also offers a short-term foster option — allowing families to take a pet home temporarily before making a final decision.

“Our community includes our pets, and I’m hopeful we can work together to help the large dogs looking for a home,” Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez said in a release. “There are so many loving pets who need a loving family to take them in, and fee-waived adoptions are a great opportunity to change a life.”

The four RivCo shelter locations and hours are:

• Coachella Valley, San Jacinto, and Western Riverside shelters: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.Wednesday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Blythe Animal Shelter:Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

To check out adoptable pets, visit this link. For more information, email shelterinfo@rivco.org.

Want to help but can't adopt? Sign up to foster here.

The county urges that the pets in the most dire need are larger dogs, those with medical needs and animals who face behavioral challenges.