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‘Shelter Animal’ Named Official State Pet Special Event Saturday at Main Shelter

October 15, 2015

Assemblyman Eric LinderTHURSDAY, Oct. 15, 2015 – Riverside County’s largest animal shelter will be the location of a press conference about a unique state resolution on Saturday, Oct. 17, and the shelter will celebrate with a special adoption event.

The 10:30 a.m. news conference is about a new state resolution making the “shelter animal” the official state pet of California. Assemblyman Eric Linder (R-Corona) will speak briefly about why he authored the legislation, which received approval last month. Assemblyman Linder’s 60th Assembly District includes the home city – Jurupa Valley – where the county’s main shelter is located.

Assemblyman Linder will be joined by leading animal advocates who are using the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley (6851 Van Buren Blvd.) as the backdrop for the announcement.

The shelter pet is now recognized much in the same way the state of California recognizes the golden poppy as the official state flower, or the garibaldi as the official state marine fish, etc. To learn more about the legislation, here is a direct link to the State Humane Association of California, one of the sponsoring organizations of the legislation: http://www.californiastatehumane.org/

Other expected speakers include Erica Hughes, executive director of the State Humane Association of California; Madeline Bernstein, president of spcaLA; Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation; Steve Spiro, president and co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (S.T.A.R.T.), a major partner in saving pets from Riverside County’s animal shelters.

To mark the event, Riverside County is inviting anyone who has adopted a pet from a county animal shelter – or any other local shelter – to hear the brief words shared about the resolution and join the speakers for a massive photo shoot. Adopters are encouraged to bring their former shelter pet to mark the occasion.

Opportunity drawings for small gifts (B movies, DVDs, T-shirts, etc.) will be passed out to entice visitors.

The Animal Solutions Konnection Foundation (ASK Foundation) is sponsoring a free coffee-and-doughnuts session, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The news conference will start at approximately 10:30 a.m. A massive group photo with adopters and shelter pets will happen shortly after the news conference (approximately 10:45 a.m.).

Then, beginning at 11 a.m., the shelter is offering available pets for FREE, with one caveat: adopters are asked to make a $20 donation to the county’s spay & neuter fund program. This fund provides free spay & neuter services for pet owners who qualify. Ultimately, adopters on Saturday will be helping support a program that works to limit the number of cats and dogs that end up in local shelters each and every year.