Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) is seeing real, measurable progress in its mission to save more lives. In the latest quarterly progress report, comparing data from January-June 2025 to the same time period last year, the department marks many milestones, including a 40% reduction in euthanasia and the strongest midyear progress in cat lifesaving in over seven years.

In the first six months of 2025, the department partnered with Outcomes Consulting Group to work alongside the shelter staff teams to implement proven, high-impact strategies across its four shelter locations. The results show what's possible when operations, outreach, and community support align: thousands more pets are making it out of the shelter and into new homes. The report also highlights the department’s need for continued community support as it operates one of the nation’s busiest animal sheltering systems.

"We cannot do this lifesaving work without support from our partners to include nonprofits, private veterinarians and hospitals, rescue groups and networkers, advocates, volunteers, and everyone who has played a role in this shared progress. Saving more lives means working with anyone who is willing to help, and we are making our circle bigger so that more hands, heads and hearts are moving as one to continue making improvements for the pets who need us,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “We’re immensely grateful to the community for their continued support, and we will keep the momentum going with innovation, compassion and transparency at all levels."

Key Results: January–June 2025 (compared to the same time period in 2024)

• Intake: Decreased by 20%, resulting in 3,370 fewer animals
• Adoption Rates: Increased from 30% to 35% for cats and dogs combined, just shy of the national average for Government animal shelters of 38%
• Transfers: Remain higher than the national average with county transfer rates sustaining at 22% for dogs and increasing from 12 to 14% for cats
• Live Release Rate: Increased from 70.4% to 78.8% for cats and dogs combined. Cats saw the strongest six-month start in 7 years.
• Humane Euthanasia: Decreased by 40%, resulting in 1,513 fewer cat and dog euthanasia

Behind each number is a life: a senior dog who found a loving home, a stray cat reunited with its family, an injured pup transferred to a partner rescue for a second chance. These outcomes are made possible through deep collaboration with rescue partners, foster families, volunteers, and the community at large.

The department continues to focus on long-term strategies to reduce shelter crowding, prevent unplanned litters, and help more lost pets get back home.

Despite the improvements, the shelter system remains over capacity, especially for dogs and cats who have been waiting the longest. With fewer animals coming in, the key to continued success is moving animals out through adoption, fostering, or reunification with their families.

How the Community Can Help:

• Adopt: Visit one of our four shelters or browse adoptable pets at www.rcdas.org
• Foster: Even a few days can save a life and make room for another animal in nee
• Volunteer: Support our frontline teams with your time and talent
• Share: Spread the word about adoptable pets and urgent cases

“This progress shows what we can achieve with the right leadership and strong community partnerships,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “Together, we can carry this progress into the second half of the year and give every pet the chance they deserve.”

For more information, visit 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.