'Critical Overcrowding' Reported At Riverside County Animal Shelters

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA ? Animal shelters operated by Riverside County are deluged with pets, and the situation is dire with "critical overcrowding."

The county's Department of Animal Services reports that shelter capacity is over 220% across all its locations.

More than 1,000 dogs are housed in facilities designed for less than half that number, according to the agency.

"Without immediate community support through adoptions, fostering, or reunification of lost pets, the department may be forced to make heartbreaking euthanasia decisions solely due to lack of space," RCDAS reported.

"Overcrowding and long-term kennel confinement can take a significant toll on dogs both physically and behaviorally, with many staying at the shelter for over 100 days and showing signs of kennel stress and deterioration after as little as 14 days," the agency continued.

The situation is bleak.

"Right now, we have zero empty kennels for incoming dogs and there are three, four, or more dogs in nearly every kennel that is designed to safely house just one to two dogs," said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. "Euthanasia is a last resort strategy that we are desperate to avoid, but it is the reality we are facing right now in order to ensure we are able to provide safe, humane care for every person and pet across our shelter system.

"With more dogs coming in than are leaving, it is imperative that the public, partners and stakeholders take action to foster, adopt and help rescue dogs who are at-risk of euthanasia because there is not enough space to house them," Martin continued. "Rest assured, we are also working urgently on incorporating more lifesaving strategies, but we will also need support from our community to get our population to a healthy and safe level."

RCDAS has implemented strategies in recent weeks aimed at helping shelter animals find permanent homes: The department recently opened on Sundays for adoptions, fosters and lost pet reclaims. The agency waived adoption fees, waived lost pet reclaim fees and integrated lost/found pets with Petco Love Lost.

Starting May 29, RCDAS began waiving adoption fees. That will continue until shelter capacity falls below 150%.

"I am hopeful we can rally and overcome this overcrowding crisis, and I have seen firsthand all of the amazing dogs waiting at our shelter for a second chance," Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez said. "We need to rise to the occasion for our pets and work together to get them out of their kennels and into loving homes."

Community members are encouraged to attend in person to adopt or foster a pet and take them home on the same day. Shelter location and hours are as follows:

• Coachella Valley Animal Campus: 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
• San Jacinto Animal Campus: 581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto, CA 92582
• Riverside West County/City Animal Shelter: 6851 Van Buren Blvd., Jurupa Valley, CA 92509

The overcrowding comes on the heels of a promise. Last month, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution co-written by Supervisors V. Manuel Perez and Yxstian Gutierrez, called RivCo Rise, which expresses the County Supervisors? commitment to the goal of becoming a ?no?kill community,? where 90% of the companion animals that enter RCDAS facilities leave alive. Read more here: Riverside County Makes 'No-Kill' Commitment For Its Animal Shelters