UPDATE: Riverside animal shelters are in a state of emergency as they face an overwhelming crisis with over 1,000 dogs currently in their system. The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus is operating at a staggering 270% capacity, prompting officials to declare that “immediate action is needed.”
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) is urgently calling on the community to step forward and help by adopting or fostering dogs. The department has set a critical goal of finding forever homes or temporary fosters for 30 large dogs within the next 48 hours, with a deadline of November 6.
In a poignant statement, RCDAS Director Mary Martin emphasized the dire situation:
“Operating in critical overcapacity puts animals at risk of sickness or injury and is not safe for pets or staff. We need to be ready to continue receiving animals that have nowhere else to go, and we are hoping the community is willing to open their homes now more than ever to save lives.”
The overcrowding crisis means that some dogs are at risk of euthanasia due to insufficient space and resources for proper care. To combat this, all pets available for adoption at the RCDAS are currently being offered at no cost. This includes essential services such as spaying/neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, and an engraved ID tag.
Foster homes are also desperately needed, particularly for large dogs, with RCDAS ready to provide supplies to those who can accommodate a dog for two weeks or longer.
If you are considering helping, visit www.rcdas.org for more information on how to adopt or foster a dog in need. The urgency is palpable—every moment counts in saving these animals’ lives.
The situation is developing rapidly, and the community’s support is crucial. Please share this urgent appeal with your network to help find these dogs loving homes before it’s too late.
