Riverside County Animal Services Extends Weekday Hours to Increase Lifesaving Opportunities

RIVERSIDE – The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) has extended weekday operating hours beginning Thursday, Oct. 2, at its Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Coachella Valley shelter locations. The shelter in Blythe will continue operating under its current schedule. The expanded hours are designed to provide the community with greater access to meet adoptable pets and reunite with lost pets.

This change follows the department’s decision earlier this year to begin opening on Sundays, following national-best practices and adoption data.

“We are listening to the community and making changes to help more people and pets,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “This is an important shift that we hope will make it easier for folks to meet RivCo pets and ultimately save more lives.”

“Families today need flexibility, and this change makes it easier for working people, students, and busy households to visit our shelters and adopt a pet,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “We want to remove as many barriers as possible to encourage adoptions and help pets move from the shelter into loving homes.”

New Hours Effective October 2 (Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto, and Coachella Valley Shelters):

  • Tuesday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Monday: Closed

Blythe Animal Shelter Hours (Unchanged):

  • Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Every change we make is about making it easier to help people save lives,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “Extending our hours means more opportunities for pets to be seen, more connections with families, and more dogs and cats leaving the shelter safely.”

The department continues to operate in critical overcapacity for dogs. To help alleviate crowding and increase adoptions, RCDAS is participating in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event from October 1–15, offering free adoptions for dogs and cats.

View more information at www.rcdas.org.

About RCDAS

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services shelters more than 35,000 animals annually across four locations, making it one of the largest sheltering systems in the country. RCDAS provides adoption, lost pet reunification, pet support services, and public safety programs, all aimed at keeping pets with families and increasing animal lifesaving.

Image Sources

  • Adoptable dog: RivCo Department of Animal Services