Who will let the dogs (and cats) out? Adopt a pet TODAY.

Summer is in full swing here in Riverside County. With the heat comes the increased responsibility to care for our pet friends! Every summer The Riverside County Department of Animal Services shares safety tips to keep in mind while caring for pets in the summer heat. As animal lovers here at the Riverside County Law Library, we would like to share some of those tips with you:

1. Walk dogs during cooler times of the day.
2. Use the "seven-second test" - Press the back of your hand to the sidewalk for seven seconds. If it's too hot for you, it is too hot for your pet.
3. Avoid hot surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or turf. Try to walk in grassy or shady areas.

        @riversidecountyanimalservices Instagram post June 25, 2024

News from your local shelters:

Another domain of pet care that is impacted by the summer would be the animal shelter system. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services released several updates this past month informing the public that they need support. This has been through increased marketing, adoption events, and highlights of their friendly furry residents. For example, with the recent Fourth of July holiday, the department waved impound fees for pets lost on the holiday. It is a common occurrence for pets to scurry away from their homes in fear of the loud noises that the fireworks make. Owners were encouraged prior to the holiday to make sure their pets were ID’d, microchipped, and safe in an enclosed fence to prevent this from happening. However, it is nice of the department to waive the fee on returning those pets who got away anyways to their owners.  

On July 10^th the Riverside County Department of Animal Services shared that they have reached overcapacity with over 1,000 dogs in their kennels and strongly urged the public to adopt. For their feline friends, the shelter is currently promoting a $5 Feline adoption event, allowing potential cat owners to go home with a cat for only 5 dollars, to help find the growing number of pets their forever home. The most recent update from today, July 12, 2024, announces that the Coachella Valley Animal Campus location will be providing free dog adoptions through July 31, 2024. Our neighbors along the 91 West Freeway, City of Corona Animal Shelter, are also experiencing an influx of cats and dogs waiting for their future homes. Their Freedom Days Adoption Promotion is extended to Sat July 13, 2024 in hopes of finding families for some of the many animals in their care.

The Law and Pet Adoption:

Riverside County’s Code of Ordinances governs the practices around the sale and adoption of pets in Riverside County. Title Six of the Code of Ordinances is called “Animals.” Within that title, Chapter 6.08. titled, “DOGS, CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS” would have the most laws pertaining to guidelines for shelters and the adoption process. For example, section 6.08.120, titled, “Altered and unaltered animals,” outlines the responsibilities of animal shelters when it comes to spaying and neutering their animals. In short, the law requires shelters to have this procedure done on the animals before they can be sent out for adoption. However, exemptions are outlined under section 6.08.120 A. Section 6.08.120 A.1 reads:

A dog with a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death if spayed or neutered, due to age or infirmity. The owner or custodian must obtain written confirmation of this fact from a California licensed veterinarian. If the dog is able to be safely spayed or neutered at a later date, that date must be stated in the written confirmation; should this date be later than thirty (30) days, the owner or custodian must apply for an unaltered dog license.

From the RCLL staff:

The RCLL library staff have also adopted pets from local shelters. Here is what staff had to say about their furry friends:

“I adopted my pet from the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in 2017. He was a two-year-old Maltese who was very dirty and sick and needed a home. I took him home and named him Sammy. He has become the most important part of my family, and we love him so much. I am so happy I found him at the shelter.” – Andy, Librarian

“I adopted a cat from the Palm Springs Animal shelter named Mambo. He is a scrappy scoundrel and a good kitty." -Terry, Librarian

“We adopted our cat Millie from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in 2020. She is such a silly, curious, and affectionate cat; we love her so much!” - Matthew, Library Assistant

Info and more!

If you would like to read more from the Riverside County Ordinances on animals, here is a link to this resource, available for free on the web: http://riversidecounty-ca.elaws.us/code/coor_title6

Adoptable pets at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services: https://rcdas.org/adoptable-pets

Adoptable pets at the City of Corona Animal Shelter: https://www.coronaca.gov/government/departments-divisions/animal-services-enforcement/adoptable-animals

Written by Andrea Valencia and Yanis Ait Kaci Azzou