Low-Cost Services and Resources for Riverside County Pet Owners
IMPORTANT: Many programs have limited funding and may have waiting lists. Apply early and consider multiple options. Some programs serve specific areas within Riverside County.
Free and Low-Cost Spay and Neuter
RCDAS Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics
Cost: FREE
RCDAS offers free spay/neuter services throughout Riverside County via mobile clinics—appointment required.
Contact: Visit rcdas.org/mobile-wellness for schedule and appointments
Limited slots available. More clinics are scheduled based on the District as the department expands services.
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
Cost: Low-cost rates vary by service (appt required)
Full-service spay/neuter clinic with additional veterinary services.
Location: 6165 Industrial Avenue, Riverside
Website: petsadoption.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM (pick-up by 5:30 PM required)
Operation Spay & Neuter Riverside (Foster Army Animal Rescue)
Cost: $25 fee to reserve spot (financial assistance program)
Assistance program for pet owners needing financial help with spay/neuter. Limited spots available.
Next Clinic: July 28, 2025 (applications currently being accepted)
Website: fosterarmy.org
Must complete the application. Limited funds available for qualifying pet owners.
Additional Spay/Neuter Resources
For more options throughout California:
- PetHelpFinder: pethelpfinder.org
- Spay California: spaycalifornia.org - Statewide directory
- United Spay Alliance: National resource directory
Pet Food Assistance Programs
RCDAS Healthy Pet Zone Pet Food Program
Cost: FREE
Pet food assistance is available at all RCDAS shelter locations.
How to Access: Visit any RCDAS shelter location and ask to speak to a supervisor.
Locations: Riverside, San Jacinto, Coachella Valley
Mary S. Roberts Pet Food Assistance Program
Cost: FREE
Provides free pet food for the elderly, disabled, or those facing financial hardship. Can assist for up to 6 months, then reapplication is required.
Website: petsadoption.com
Partnership: Works primarily with the Meals-on-Wheels program
Available to anyone experiencing financial hardship. Temporary assistance only.
Rick Erwin Pet Food Bank (Palm Springs)
Cost: FREE
Provides over 5,000 pounds of pet food annually. Supports up to 3 pets per household.
Location: Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs
Partners with: Mizell Senior Center's Meals on Wheels, AAP Food Samaritans
Contact partner agencies for qualification requirements
Community Cat and TNR Programs
RCDAS 5,000 Cat Challenge - TNR Program
Cost: FREE TNR services
RCDAS provides TNR assistance for community cats, including trapping, spay/neuter, vaccination, ear-tipping, and return.
Email: [email protected] (include your city and phone number)
Mary S. Roberts Community Cat Program
Cost: $55 per cat
Monthly community cat spay/neuter clinic on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Requirements: Cats MUST be in humane traps (covered and labeled)
Limit: 2 cats per person, 10 cats per day
Trap Rental: $5/day or $20/week ($75 deposit)
Surgery admission starts at 6:30 AM (first-come, first-served until the daily limit is reached)
All community cats will be ear-tipped. No carriers, boxes, or crates accepted.
TNR Riverside
Local volunteer group dedicated to facilitating spay/neuter of Riverside County's community cats.
Facebook: Search "TNR Riverside" for community support and resources
Website: tnrriverside.org
Low-Cost Vet Care
RCDAS Mobile Wellness Clinics
Services: Vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick treatments, deworming, rabies vaccines
Schedule: Check rcdas.org/mobile-wellness for locations and times
Haven Pet Center (Ramona Humane Society)
Services: Spay, neuter, vaccines
Phone: 951-654-3110
Hours: Wed-Sat 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM (closed 12-1 PM for lunch)
Service Area: Riverside County residents
By appointment only
Financial Assistance for Pet Care
Actors and Others for Animals
Services: Emergency medical assistance, spay/neuter financial help
Phone: 818-755-6045
Website: actorsandothers.com
Service Area: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura counties
Application available on the website
Animal Friends of the Valleys
Services: Financial aid for medical procedures
Service Area: Southwest Riverside County residents only
Eligibility: Senior citizens and low-income families
Benevolent Animal Rescue Committee
Services: General pet care, financial assistance
Phone: 951-845-1513
Website: barconline.com
Pet Assistance League
Services: Pet care assistance
Phone: 951-682-3445
Website: assistanceleagueriverside.org
Pet Overpopulation Coalition (POPCO)
Services: Spay/neuter financial assistance directory
Website: popco-inc.org/riverside_county_residents.html
Note: No ongoing voucher program for personal pets in Riverside County
Older Adult Pet Care Programs
Animal Samaritans (Coachella Valley/Morongo Basin)
Services: Financial assistance for pet care
Eligibility: Income-qualifying senior pet owners who are permanent Coachella Valley or Morongo Basin residents
Mary S. Roberts Senior Wellness Fund
Services: Financial assistance for pet care
Eligibility: Income-qualifying senior pet parents who are 65+ and reside in the City of Riverside, Corona, Norco, Mira Loma, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, or Perris
Herdina Grant Program
Services: Financial assistance for seniors
Phone: 909-386-1400
Website: Check hssbv.org for application details
Emergency Pet Programs
If you cannot afford emergency veterinary care:
- Scratch Pay: Payment plans for participating veterinary clinics
- Waggle: Pet medical crowdfunding platform
- Free Animal Doctor: Crowdfunding platform that pays veterinarians directly
- PetFundr: Animal-dedicated crowdfunding site
Note:
- Many programs have income requirements or geographic restrictions
- Funding is often limited - apply early and consider multiple options
- Some programs may have waiting lists during high-demand periods
- Always call ahead to confirm program availability and requirements
- Keep proof of Riverside County residency for eligibility verification
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
General Pet Help:
- Pets.FindHelp.com: National database of pet assistance programs
- 211: Dial 211 for information about local assistance programs
- United Way: May have information about local pet assistance programs