Riverside County officials Thursday declared the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus at “crisis capacity,” seeking help from all Southern California residents who are able to assist with taking a dog into their home — even if only temporarily — to free up space.
“The animal campus is in crisis capacity with dogs, and we need immediate public support to foster and adopt large breeds,” Department of Animal Services spokeswoman Veronica Perez said.
She said the shelter, which is one of four operated by the county, has a total of 153 kennel spaces. However, there are currently 424 canines impounded at the facility, “which means dogs are sharing kennels with two or three kennel mates.”
“There are more dogs coming in than leaving on a daily basis,” Perez said.
Customary return-to-owner fees and all other adoption fees have been suspended for anyone willing to take home a pet from the campus, Perez said, adding that “all resources will be provided for fosters” who might be able to help between Thursday and Sunday.
Fostering involves taking the pets home and nurturing them in an environment where they can thrive, outside of cages, for set periods of time, not permanently, officials said.
The campus is located at 581 S. Grand Ave. Operating hours on Thursday have been extended until dark. The site typically shuts down at 4 p.m.
Friday to Sunday, the campus will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Along with the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms and Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley will, going forward, be open on Sundays, as part of a countywide effort to place more dogs and cats into homes.
As an incentive to boost interest, this Sunday, the department is waiving all general adoption fees, though mandatory basic license fees will still be requested. Licenses range from $12 to $25 for altered pets.
Information regarding shelters’ hours of operation and pets ready for adoption is available at www.rcdas.org.