Free Dog Adoptions Offered At RivCo County Fair & National Date Fest

INDIO, CA — Looking to add a new furry friend with a wagging tail to your household? For the next three weekends, dog adoptions will be free at the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, county officials announced Thursday.

Animal services staffers will be on hand at the festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 15 up until the last day of the fair on March 2. Based on the success of previous years, staff will also be there an additional three Sundays and this coming Monday on Presidents Day, the animal services agency said.

Adoption specialists will be there to guide people interested in adopting to make sure they find the best match for their household.

“We are thrilled to offer more free adoption opportunities at the fair this year, and we hope the community shows up to support our efforts in finding permanent homes for loveable dogs,” said Kimberly Youngberg, interim director of Riverside County Animal Services. “Our staff is dedicated to making this a success, and they look forward to engaging with the public about the importance of adoptions and how to help reduce the number of animals in our shelters.”

Those looking to adopt must be at least 18 and bring a valid identification card. There will be a variety of breeds, sizes and ages — including puppies — available for adoption, the agency said.

Each year, the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival draws some 250,000 people, organizers said. Find more information here.