More than five dozen dogs rescued from an East Hemet home heavily damaged by fire were placed at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, where officials Friday said they can now be formally adopted or taken home as foster pets.
“This type of large-scale rescue requires all of our teams to jump into action, and now we need the public’s help to give these dogs a home,” Riverside County Department of Animal Services Field Commander Lesley Huennekens said Friday. “We know other dogs will need a safe spot to land today and tomorrow, and we’re here to help both people and pets by serving as a safety net during an emergency or crisis.”
The canines, which appear to be mostly terrier mixes and Chihuahuas, were saved from a blaze that partially consumed a single-story residence Thursday afternoon in the 41300 block of Merriwood Drive, near Cornell Street.
According to Cal Fire, the flames erupted in the home’s attached garage and spread into the structure before they were contained. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.
The lone resident, who wasn’t injured, was displaced, requiring assistance from Red Cross to find temporary alternate lodgings. The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, could not provide shelter for any of the 60-plus canines located at the property.
Keeping more than a few dogs at any location countywide generally requires a permit.
Animal control officers took custody of the displaced pets, none of which were harmed by the fire. They’ve undergone medical checkups and are ready to take home, officials said.
The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus is 300% over capacity, translating to little or no space, with impounded pets housed two or more to a pen, unless they’re medically impaired or dangerous.
Conditions are similar at the county’s other three shelters.
A moratorium on pet adoption fees was implemented last fall and has remained in effect since then.
In May, the Board of Supervisors approved a “no kill” policy, resolving that the county will make it an objective to preserve the lives of a minimum of 90% of all cats and dogs impounded at the county’s shelters.
The policy entails greater emphasis on free or low-cost spay/neuter clinics, enhanced “return-to-owner” programs that unite lost pets with their loved ones, adoption campaigns with full fee waivers, expedited “trap- neuter-return-to-field” programs for cats that were inaugurated in March 2024, and pet fostering.
The latter provides opportunities for Inland Empire residents to take a dog or cat home for set or open periods, without the obligation to adopt. Fostered pets receive free veterinary care from the county and can be returned to a shelter anytime.
Information about shelters’ hours of operation and adoption or fostering opportunities can be found at www.rcdas.org.