Riverside County Makes 'No-Kill' Commitment For Its Animal Shelters

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has taken a step toward making Riverside County's animal shelters "no-kill."

In a 5-0 vote on Tuesday, the board passed a resolution that expresses the supervisors’ no-kill commitment for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

The resolution was co-written by Supervisors V. Manuel Perez and Yxstian Gutierrez. Its overarching message affirms the value of every life, with a mission to become a more compassionate and humane community.

“This resolution took us a while to get here, to get to this space of a county coming together and understanding the gravity of the issue,” Perez said. “There is a lot of work to be done, and that requires resources. I do feel strongly that we will need a larger budget when it comes to animal services in order for us to meet the demands, the concerns, the needs, of our pets and communities as well as the family members, the community members, the advocates.”

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services operates shelters in the Coachella Valley, Jurupa Valley and San Jacinto. The agency services unincorporated communities as well as several cities.

The no-kill pledge comes as RCDAS has faced recent criticism and lawsuits regarding its management of animal shelters, particularly concerning euthanasia rates, shelter conditions, and alleged financial mismanagement. Critics argue that the county failed to adequately address the issues, leading to the deaths of thousands of animals.

Supervisor Perez said he has taken on the issue of animal services, including investing funding to have more spay and neuter clinics in unincorporated communities and in the Coachella Valley.

During Tuesday's meeting, the County Executive Officer shared more ideas for moving toward the no-kill goal, including a request by the RCDAS to seek funding for 35 to 40 new positions for adoption efforts, foster and pet support programs. A longer‑term step could potentially involve a look at expanding the size of the animal shelters if conditions necessitate.

Funding is critical toward reaching the county's no-kill goal, and the next county budget is eyed.

In the meantime, Perez formed a Community Ad Hoc Committee with people from the Coachella Valley's animal services community.

"In my opinion, this is a start in the right direction," said former Indian Wells Mayor Ty Peabody, who served nine years on the Coachella Valley Animal Campus Commission and is continuing on the commission as Supervisor Perez’s proxy. "This is not going to happen overnight, and we need the public’s help to be successful. We’re looking at the hours, the staffing, and the proper marketing. In conjunction with that, we are meeting with all the city councils to bring them up to date on our progress."

According to the county, the RCDAS is one of the three largest animal shelter systems in the nation.

Not all of Riverside County is served by RCDAS. For example, Animal Friends of the Valleys serves the southwest cities of Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and Wildomar.