'We're At Crisis Capacity' RivCo Animal Shelter Pleads For New Owners

SAN JACINTO, CA — The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus is at "crisis capacity," seeking help from all Southern California residents who can assist by taking a dog into their home, either as fosters or permanent owners, to alleviate severe overcrowding in kennel space.

The San Jacinto animal campus is located at 581 S. Grand Avenue. Operating hours on Thursday have been extended until dark. The site typically shuts down at 4 p.m. From Friday to Sunday, the campus will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As an incentive to boost interest, the department is waiving all general adoption fees at county-run shelters this Sunday, although mandatory basic license fees will still be required. Licenses range from $12 to $25 for altered pets.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services spokeswoman Veronica Perez shared a statement that startled many, saying, "The animal campus is at crisis capacity with dogs, and we need immediate public support to foster and adopt large breeds."

The shelter, San Jacinto campus — one of four operated by Riverside County, has a total of 153 kennel spaces. However, there are currently 424 canines impounded at the facility.

"Dogs are sharing kennels with two or three kennel mates," Perez said. "More dogs are coming in than leaving on a daily basis."

Just this week, a batch of bulldog mix puppies were brought in, according to the San Jacinto Animal Services website. They are approximately 3 days old and still nursing from their mother. Foster help was still being sought as of Friday.

To quell this, all customary return-to-owner fees and all other adoption fees are suspended for anyone willing to take home a pet from the campus, Perez said.

"All resources will be provided for fosters who might be able to help between Thursday and Sunday," she added.

Fostering involves taking the pets home and nurturing them in an environment where they can thrive, outside of cages, for set periods of time, and not permanently, officials said.

Along with the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, and the Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, will be open on Sundays from now on, as part of a countywide effort to place more dogs and cats into homes.

Information regarding shelters' hours of operation and pets ready for adoption is available at www.rcdas.org.