Pet Shelters at ‘Critical Overcapacity’

Pet Shelters in Riverside County Remain at ‘Critical Overcapacity’

RIVERSIDE — Despite offering free pet adoptions, the move has barely made a dent in the pet population leaving it at {“critical overcapacity,” Veronica Perez, public information officer, of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, told Uken Report.

“Riverside County shelters are in critical overcapacity for dogs. This means some kennels are housing two, three, even four or more dogs. We are at a level where the number of dogs in kennels is more than double what they were designed to safely and humanely house,” Perez told Uken Report. “This is a community problem that needs a community solution. Our sheltering system alone cannot prevent overcrowding. It will take everyone’s help to reduce the number of pets entering the shelter and increase the number of pets leaving through adoption, foster, and lost pet reunification.”

You may check out the daily report card by clicking on this link. 

On June 7, Riverside County Department of Animal Services partnered with more than 150 California animal shelters in holding fee-waived adoption events as part of the second annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day, hosted by the California Animal Welfare Association , the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).

Across our three open RivCo shelters this past weekend, there were 28 dog and seven cat adoptions on Saturday, June 7 and 11 dog and three cat adoptions on Sunday, June 8, Perez said,

“We continue to operate in critical overcapacity for dogs across our shelter system,” she wrote in ana email. “Fee-waived adoptions are ongoing at all shelter locations, which include spay/neuter services, microchips and age-appropriate vaccinations. If people are unable to adopt, they can help by fostering a pet for any amount of time. We will provide available supplies, resources and match fosters with a pet in need.”

With more than 1,000 dogs in its shelter system, RCDAS shelters are experiencing over 220% capacity of dogs in kennels designed for less than half that number. Overcrowding and long-term kennel confinement can take a significant toll on dogs both physically and behaviorally, with many staying at the shelter for over 100 days.