The San Jacinto animal campus is located at 581 S. Grand Avenue. Operating hours on Thursday have been extended until dark. The site typically shuts down at 4 p.m. From Friday to Sunday, the campus will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As an incentive to boost interest, the department is waiving all general adoption fees at county-run shelters this Sunday, although mandatory basic license fees will still be required. Licenses range from $12 to $25 for altered pets.

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services spokeswoman Veronica Perez shared a statement that startled many, saying, “The animal campus is at crisis capacity with dogs, and we need immediate public support to foster and adopt large breeds.”Available to adopt at San Jacinto Animal Campus, I am a female, 35.00 lbs, brown brindle and white Terrier and Queensland Heeler. Age: The shelter staff thinks I am about 9 months old. More Info: I have been at the shelter since Apr 23, 2025.

The shelter, San Jacinto campus — one of four operated by Riverside County, has a total of 153 kennel spaces. However, there are currently 424 canines impounded at the facility.

“Dogs are sharing kennels with two or three kennel mates,” Perez said. “More dogs are coming in than leaving on a daily basis.”

Just this week, a batch of bulldog mix puppies were brought in, according to the San Jacinto Animal Services website. They are approximately 3 days old and still nursing from their mother. Foster help was still being sought as of Friday.

To quell this, all customary return-to-owner fees and all other adoption fees are suspended for anyone willing to take home a pet from the campus, Perez said.

“All resources will be provided for fosters who might be able to help between Thursday and Sunday,” she added.

Fostering involves taking the pets home and nurturing them in an environment where they can thrive, outside of cages, for set periods of time, and not permanently, officials said.

Along with the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, and the Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, will be open on Sundays from now on, as part of a countywide effort to place more dogs and cats into homes.

Information regarding shelters’ hours of operation and pets ready for adoption is available at www.rcdas.org.

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One major outcome from the meetings was the county’s decision to begin sedating animals before euthanasia—something advocates have long demanded. Previously, animals were euthanized without sedation, a practice many called inhumane. This change, set to take effect on January 27th, is seen as a small but necessary step forward.

Supervisor Manuel Perez and the commission publicly expressed, for the first time, their desire to transition to a no-kill model. However, achieving that goal remains uncertain. A key issue raised was the county’s $2.1 million contract with consultant Kristen Haasen, who has limited authority to enforce changes. Documents presented at the meetings revealed that Haasen’s recommendations were largely identical to solutions proposed by local experts a decade ago—solutions the county previously ignored.

Advocates questioned why the county is investing millions in outside consultants instead of relying on experienced local organizations, such as Palm Springs Animal Shelter and Animal Samaritans, which already operate successful no-kill programs.

Adding to the uncertainty is the hiring of a new shelter director, Mary Martin. While some hope she will bring much-needed reform, others worry that bureaucratic roadblocks may limit her ability to implement real change. Critics argue that hiring a director before an outside consultant would have been a more logical and cost-effective approach.

As public frustration grows, many are calling for more direct action, including leadership accountability and a clear timeline for Riverside County to transition into a no-kill system. Whether county officials will listen to experts and take decisive action remains to be seen. Fred Roggin sits down with Mary Strong to talk about the latest updates.

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All pet adoptions are free during IndePETdence Days, which will continue through Saturday, June 22.

“Every shelter experiences a lot of stray impounds leading up to and immediately following the Fourth of July holiday,” said Board Chair Chuck Washington, Third District Supervisor. “This adoption event will not only help our shelter operations weather the influx of strays, but more importantly, give new homes and families to the homeless pets in our shelters.”

This marks a second public plea for adoptions in the recent months, following Memorial Day weekend’s 10-10-10 adoption special, a one-day marathon session running 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. that resulted in more than 400 pets finding a home and leaving the shelter.

Riverside County Animal Services is setting the IndePETdence Days goal at 500 animals.

“The 10-10-10 Day was a huge success – and we’re optimistic IndePETdence Days will result in the same community support,” Director Erin Gettis said. “Our shelters are beyond capacity and the help is, once again, desperately needed.”

On average, more than 100 pets are impounded daily at county shelters during the work week. During the summer, that figure soars to more than 150 pets a day.

The number of animals getting adopted or returned to their families is not keeping pace with the impound figures. The daily intake figures are overwhelming almost every Southern California shelter, and each day difficult decisions become a reality.

Animal Services Deputy Director Jackie Schart encouraged families to show off their patriotic pride by doing something special for a four-legged friend.

“What can be more patriotic than granting a dog or cat their independence from a shelter?” said Schart, who oversees programs and operations. “We really hope families can make room in their home for a dog or cat, so we can have additional room for all the frightened pets that end up in our care when the Fourth of July holiday is over.”

IndePETdence Days hours will follow normal operating hours during the three days. Click here to view the hours for the county’s shelters in Blythe, Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto and Thousand Palms.

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