The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) is once again offering fee-waived adoptions for its annual Barkchella event that runs April 9-12 and April 16-19 at all shelter locations across the county.
“We did this last year, and we’re bringing it back because we know it’s a fun time for people who may be partaking in the music festival,” Veronica Perez, RCDAS public information officer, said. “So whether you are going or you’re not going, why not consider stopping by one of our shelters, meeting some of our dogs and cats and considering adopting them into your homes?”
According to a release by RCDAS, there are more than 1,000 dogs and 90 cats currently in shelters across the county with plenty of pets ready for adoption.
“We have so many wonderful dogs and with summer right around the corner, now is the time to find your hiking, swimming, outdoor companion who can share in your adventures,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin in the release. “It’s nearly impossible to not fall in love when you visit our shelters and meet these amazing pets.”
For those who might not be ready to commit to adopting an animal, Perez said the shelter does offer a short-term foster program that allows people to foster a pet until they’re ready to fully commit.
“Even if you can just sign up for two weeks to foster, it really helps them to change their environment and just have a different pace than being in our kennels where sometimes we have multiple dogs with each other in kennels,” she said.
Stay up to date with the latest from The Record. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter today!
Perez said fostering can especially help with animals who have been in local shelters for more than a few months.
“It’s not uncommon to have dogs who have been here for a few months, and we try to highlight those dogs to just try to find them a person or family willing to give them a new start,” she said. “And these fee-waived adoptions during Barkchella makes it really easy and accessible for the community to adopt them.”
One such dog is Janet, an 18-month old, spayed female Rottweiler mix who has been at the Western Riverside Animal Campus since last October, making her RCDAS’ longest resident. According to the county release, she is sweet, affectionate and loves scratches, does well on walks and is good with other dogs.
Perez said that all adoptions include microchipping, vaccines, spay and neuter services and dog tags.
“It’s pretty much the whole package,” she said. “On top of adopting an amazing dog or cat into your family, we really try to make it easy and accessible for the community.”
Those interested in adopting a pet can visit any of the four shelter locations — Coachella Valley, San Jacinto, Western Riverside and Blythe — during regular operating hours to meet available dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
More information on shelter hours can be found on RCDAS’ website along with a listing of currently available pets. Those interested in fostering, can learn more and apply here.
The Riverside Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet providing Riverside County with high-quality journalism free of charge. We’re able to do this because of the generous donations of supporters like you!