Riverside County Animal Services Pushes Toward No-Kill Goal Amid Major Reforms

Riverside County Department of Animal Services is undergoing major changes as leaders work to transform one of California’s most criticized shelter systems into a no-kill county.

Two years ago, the department faced intense scrutiny after a lawsuit accused the county of failing to comply with the Hayden Act, which requires shelters to provide medical care and make reasonable efforts to save adoptable animals.

Since then, new director Mary Martin has taken over and led a wave of reforms.

Over the past year, the county has invested $48 million into animal services, added 38 new positions, and expanded programs focused on saving more animals.

A key priority has been moving pets out of shelters and into homes. Since Martin’s arrival, the county has significantly increased animal transports, launched foster initiatives, waived adoption fees, and introduced programs like Dog Day Out and the Ironwood Inmate Foster Program.

At the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 19 veterinarians have been added systemwide, including three at the local shelter, allowing for more surgeries and medical treatments. Spay and neuter surgeries have also expanded dramatically.

But challenges remain. County shelters are still about 200 animals over capacity and continue to euthanize some animals due to lack of space.

While some advocates are pushing for larger shelter facilities, Martin says prevention, foster care, and faster adoption efforts are the most effective long-term solutions.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit that helped spark many of the reforms is still making its way through the courts, with advocates calling recent legal victories under the Hayden Act a major step toward broader statewide shelter reform.

The county is now exploring whether expanding its shelter system could be part of a long-term strategy, with recommendations from an animal shelter consulting firm expected next week.