Riverside, CA  – As the Rosa Fire forces evacuations in the region, Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) is working around the clock to provide safe shelter for displaced animals. To date, 54 animals impacted by the fires have been evacuated to RCDAS-run shelters.

Currently, RCDAS is caring for evacuated animals across three locations:

• Coachella Valley Animal Campus: 12 dogs
• San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus: 12 dogs, 14 horses, 7 goats and 5 turkeys 

With all four RivCo Animal Services shelters operating well over capacity, the department is urging the public to help by fostering shelter dogs to make space for these and other potential evacuated pets. FREE cat and dog adoptions are also continuing through the end of August at all shelter locations and include spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, and engraved ID tag. On Wednesdays, the shelters are open until 7PM.

“This is one of those moments when a simple act like opening your home to a dog has a massive impact,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “It clears a kennel for a displaced family’s pet. It supports our first responders. And it’s a powerful reminder of what community looks like in a crisis. I’m grateful to every person who steps up.”

“Our priority is making sure every displaced pet has a safe place to go,” said RCDAS Assistant Director Dr. Kimberly Youngberg. “But we can’t do this alone. If you can foster or adopt, please come directly to any of our shelters. We are relying on our community to help make space so we can keep responding to the growing needs of evacuated families.”

RCDAS also extends its deepest appreciation to the firefighters, first responders, emergency workers, and animal services teams working tirelessly to protect lives, human and animal alike.

“We are grateful for our brave first responders who work around-the-clock to protect and help our communities,” said Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “When you support a pet at the shelter, you are directly supporting the families impacted by circumstances outside of their control. Now is the time to show up for our fellow residents and RivCo pets.”

Shelter hours:

Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Shelter locations:

Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter

6851 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92509

San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus

581 S. Grand Ave. San Jacinto, CA 92582

Coachella Valley Animal Campus 

72-050 Pet Land Place. Thousand Palms, CA 92276

Blythe Animal Shelter (Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

245 S Carlton. Blythe, CA 92225