Local & Community
Riverside County Animal Shelters Declare Emergency as Dog Capacity Hits 240%
Riverside County Animal Services is sounding the alarm this morning, declaring a state of emergency as dog capacity in county shelters surges to 240% for the month of July. Officials say the overcrowding is straining resources and creating an urgent need for help from the community.
To relieve pressure, adoption fees have been waived at all Riverside County shelter locations. The county is hoping this incentive will help more families open their homes to the more than 1,000 dogs currently in county care.
“This is not just a busy summer — this is an emergency situation,” staff at Riverside County Animal Services said in a statement. “Our shelters are far beyond capacity, and we need adopters and fosters immediately.”
The county has also extended hours at its Jurupa Valley shelter this weekend to give potential adopters more opportunities to visit. Officials say that in addition to adopting, fostering even temporarily can make a critical difference in helping manage the overflow.
The reasons behind the overcrowding include a combination of factors: more animals being surrendered, fewer adoptions in recent months, and strays being brought in at higher rates.
Anyone interested in adopting or fostering is encouraged to visit their nearest Riverside County shelter. Staff are available to help match pets with the right home, and all adoption fees are currently waived.
For more information on adopting or fostering, residents can visit Riverside County Animal Services’ official website or stop by any of the shelter locations.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
July 16, 2025
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