Animal Services

Riverside County Department of Animal Services handles a wide range of animal-related services for residents, including sheltering, animal control in participating areas, pet adoption, lost and found animals, dog licensing, cruelty investigations, noisy animal complaints, deceased animal removal, citations, vaccinations, microchips, limited spay and neuter programs, and certain owner-surrender situations. Because service responsibility varies by city, one of the most important steps is determining whether the county department or a separate city animal control agency serves the location involved. This article explains how the county system is organized, which services are available, what information or documents may be required, and the rules and deadlines that can affect common Animal Services requests.

Department Services and Coverage

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services operates county animal shelters and provides animal control services in unincorporated Riverside County as well as cities that contract with the department. Its responsibilities include field services, sheltering, licensing, adoptions, animal welfare investigations, lost and found services, and several pet health services.

County Animal Services does not serve every incorporated city in the same way. Some cities operate their own animal control departments. Other cities use their own officers but send animals to a county shelter. Residents should confirm jurisdiction before traveling to a shelter, filing a complaint, or attempting to arrange animal pickup.

The department identifies the following as areas for which RCDAS provides animal control services: unincorporated Riverside County and the contract cities of Blythe, Calimesa, Cathedral City, Coachella, Eastvale, Hemet, Indian Wells, Indio, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Perris, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, and San Jacinto. However, the exact division between animal control and sheltering can differ by city.

Confirming the Correct Agency

The county's Animal Services service areas page is particularly useful when the location is near a city boundary or when a resident is uncertain which agency has jurisdiction. The department states that people who are unsure should contact the animal services number they have rather than delay an emergency; staff can direct the caller to the correct agency.

Several Riverside County cities maintain independent animal control operations, including Beaumont, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Moreno Valley, Norco, Palm Springs, and others identified on the county service-area page. This distinction matters because reporting an incident to the wrong department can delay field response, and animals handled by a city agency may not be housed at the shelter a resident first expects.

Animal Control and Shelter Differences

Animal control and animal shelter services are related but are not always provided by the same agency. A city may have its own officers handling calls within city limits while using a Riverside County shelter for impounded or stray animals.

Perris is one example. The city has its own animal control operation, while dogs are taken to the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus. Rancho Mirage similarly has animal control responsibilities separate from the county shelter system, while dogs may be housed at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. Residents looking for an impounded animal should therefore consider both the agency that handled the field call and the shelter that receives animals from that jurisdiction.

County Animal Shelter Locations

Riverside County operates four primary animal shelter locations. The county shelter directory provides current locations, operating hours, and information about the communities served.

The Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter serves a large portion of western Riverside County and houses stray and impounded animals from areas including Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and the City of Riverside. The San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus serves the San Jacinto area and receives animals associated with certain eastern and central county jurisdictions. The Coachella Valley Animal Campus serves participating Coachella Valley communities, and the Blythe Animal Shelter serves the Blythe area.

The Western Riverside, San Jacinto, and Coachella Valley shelters are open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed Mondays and holidays. Blythe Animal Shelter operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m., and is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

The department emphasizes that shelter telephone numbers route through centralized call centers rather than directly to individual shelter counters. A caller should not assume that a listed shelter number connects to staff physically located at that shelter.

Adopting an Animal

The county's pet adoption page allows prospective adopters to browse animals associated with the Western Riverside, Coachella Valley, San Jacinto Valley, and Blythe shelters. Animals living temporarily with foster families may also be shown as available for adoption even though they are not physically housed in shelter kennels.

RCDAS shelters may have dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, senior animals, mixed breeds, purebreds, barn cats, rabbits, reptiles, and other animals available. Availability can change quickly. Seeing a pet online does not guarantee that the animal will still be available when a visitor reaches the shelter.

What Adopters Should Bring

For an adoption, the department instructs prospective adopters to bring valid photo identification, such as a driver's license or state or country identification. Anyone planning to take an animal home that day should also bring suitable transportation equipment.

Bring a leash when adopting a dog.
Bring an appropriate carrier for a cat or small animal.
Consider bringing immediate family members who should meet the prospective pet.
Renters should confirm applicable pet policies with their landlord before adopting.

Most adoptions are completed during the shelter visit, and many animals can leave with the adopter the same day. The department says the process often takes about an hour, although weekends and other busy periods can take longer.

Adoption Fees and Included Care

During an animal's first 48 hours of adoption availability, the department charges fees based on the type and age of the animal. Cat fees range from $25 to $65 depending on age, while the listed dog adoption fee is $105. Fees for other animals are determined case by case and provided in person.

After the first 48 hours, the department states that adoptions are free. Adoption policies and promotional events can affect current costs, so prospective adopters should review the official adoption page before visiting.

Each adopted pet receives spay or neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a microchip, and preventative treatments. Dogs also leave with an engraved identification tag.

Pre-Adoption Through DIBS

Animals that are still completing a mandatory stray hold may be available through the department's DIBS pre-adoption process. The referenced stray hold period ranges from three to 10 days. A prospective adopter can complete paperwork before the hold expires. If the original owner does not reclaim the animal, the approved adopter may take the pet home on the first day it becomes legally available.

Adoptions operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If several people are interested in the same animal, the first person in line has priority to meet and potentially adopt it.

Lost and Found Animals

Lost pets require quick action because animals may be found by residents, taken to a shelter later, or remain close to the location where they disappeared. The county's lost and found animal page explains the department's recommended process for both missing pets and animals found by members of the public.

When Your Pet Is Missing

The department recommends searching the area where the animal disappeared, creating lost-pet signs, and visiting nearby animal shelters. A pet may not arrive at a shelter immediately, so owners are advised to return every couple of days. RCDAS notes that it may take a week or more for a missing animal to appear at a shelter.

Owners should also involve friends, family members, and neighbors in searching the surrounding area. According to the department, approximately 80 percent of lost pets are found within a mile of where they live.

If the pet is licensed, the owner should alert the licensing service associated with the Riverside County license. If the pet has a microchip, the owner should alert the microchip company and confirm that the contact information associated with the chip is current.

When You Find a Pet

A person who finds a lost pet can take it to a nearby veterinary clinic or animal shelter for a free microchip scan. If the animal has a chip, shelter or veterinary staff may be able to search the associated owner information.

RCDAS encourages finders who can safely do so to keep a found pet for at least 72 hours while attempting to locate its owner. The department explains that many lost pets remain close to home and may have a better chance of being reunited when they stay within the neighborhood where they were found.

If the finder cannot continue holding the pet or has been unable to locate the owner, the animal can be brought to a shelter during business hours. After hours, the department instructs residents to contact Animal Services when the found animal is sick, injured, or posing a threat to public safety.

Dog Licensing Requirements

All dogs in Riverside County are required by state law and county ordinance to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies beginning at four months of age. The county's pet licensing information describes the documents required to obtain a dog license and the fees used in participating jurisdictions.

Documents Needed for Licensing

A standard dog license application requires documentation related to the animal's rabies protection and identification. Owners seeking certain discounted license rates have additional documentation requirements.

Proof of a current and valid rabies vaccination.
The animal's microchip and microchip number.
Proof of spay or neuter when requesting an altered-animal rate.
Proof of age for a senior discount.
Proof of spay or neuter and rabies vaccination for a senior discount.

License fees vary according to jurisdiction, whether the dog is altered or unaltered, the length of the license, and any applicable senior discount. Additional charges listed by the department include replacement tags, ownership transfers, dangerous dog registration, and late fees. Because the amount varies by city and circumstances, owners should verify the current fee category before submitting payment.

The licensing page also states that owners of pit bull-type breeds must provide proof of spay or neuter for license renewal under Riverside County Ordinance 921.

Vaccinations and Microchips

RCDAS provides vaccine and microchip appointments at shelter clinics and mobile wellness events. The vaccination and microchip service page explains current appointment requirements, vaccine schedules, and listed service charges.

Clinic Appointment Requirements

Vaccinations and microchips are provided by appointment only. Before arriving, pet owners should make sure they meet the department's clinic requirements.

The legal owner of the animal being vaccinated must be present.
The owner must be at least 18 years old to authorize services.
Dogs must be properly restrained on a leash.
Cats and other appropriate animals must be secured in a carrier.

The listed dog services include rabies vaccination for $10, DA2PP for $18, Bordetella for $18, and microchipping for $21. Cat services include rabies vaccination for $10, FVRCP for $18, FeLV for $18, and microchipping for $21.

The department provides age-based vaccination schedules because puppies and kittens often require a series rather than one vaccination. Dog rabies vaccination begins at four months or older. The initial rabies vaccination is valid for one year. A later rabies vaccination may qualify for a three-year period when the dog is over one year old and there is acceptable proof of prior licensing or vaccination by a licensed United States veterinarian.

Microchip Registration Details

Pets microchipped through Riverside County Department of Animal Services use a 24PetWatch microchip. The department states that the owner's contact information is already maintained in the county's system, but RCDAS does not register that information directly with the microchip company. Owners may therefore choose to separately register the chip with the microchip provider.

This distinction can matter after a pet is lost. A microchip is most useful when the organizations searching the chip number can connect it to current owner information.

Limited Spay and Neuter Services

Most county veterinary resources are used to spay and neuter shelter animals because RCDAS receives tens of thousands of animals annually. Public spay and neuter services are therefore limited.

The department provides some services through mobile spay and neuter outreach events organized by participating cities or members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors within their districts. Availability depends on the event and location rather than a general year-round public surgery program at every county shelter.

Owners interested in county-supported services should look for an eligible outreach event in their area rather than assuming they can arrive at a shelter for routine public spay or neuter surgery.

Animal Cruelty and Neglect

Riverside County Animal Services investigates reports of possible cruelty, neglect, and animal hoarding. The animal cruelty reporting page states that complaints may be submitted anonymously and are handled according to urgency.

When reporting suspected mistreatment, residents should provide specific observations instead of general conclusions. Useful information includes what was seen, when it occurred, how long the condition continued, and the condition of the animal.

Examples identified by the department as possible signs of cruelty or neglect include:

Animals without food or water.
Animals experiencing heat distress or confined in hot vehicles.
Large numbers of animals that appear sick or underweight.
Animals that appear emaciated or starving.
Animals left on property without daily care.
Witnessed physical harm to an animal.
Untreated wounds.
Large quantities of roosters being kept on a property.
Animals confined in cages, corrals, or pens that are too small.

After a complaint is submitted, an officer may investigate the conditions. Depending on the facts, an animal may be removed immediately in a serious case, or the owner may receive a citation and an opportunity to correct the situation. Founded cruelty cases can lead to a more extensive investigation, animal removal, and prosecution.

Noisy Animal Complaints

Ongoing barking or other animal noise complaints follow a formal administrative process under Riverside County Ordinance 878. Unlike cruelty complaints, noisy animal complaints cannot be anonymous. Documents must be signed under penalty of perjury, and the parties receive the case documentation.

Complaint and Hearing Timeline

A complainant begins by submitting a Declaration of Noisy Animal form. The form may be submitted by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery. The initial complaint must be pursued within one year of the incident date.

After the complaint is accepted, the department sends a warning notice to the animal owner and a confirmation to the complainant. The owner receives five days from the warning notice to address the noise.

If the problem continues, the complainant may request an administrative hearing by filing the Petition for Hearing form. The petition must be returned within 10 days to secure the hearing. The referenced scheduling period for the hearing is 10 to 30 days.

At the hearing, both parties may present evidence. Relevant witnesses may attend, and written statements from witnesses who cannot appear must be notarized. Evidence must be submitted at the hearing because additional materials are not accepted afterward.

The hearing officer issues a ruling within three business days. If the complaint is upheld, the animal owner has five days to make the required correction. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action.

Residents pursuing a noisy animal case should document dates, times, duration, and descriptions of incidents from the beginning. That record may become important evidence if the matter reaches an administrative hearing.

Deceased Animal Removal

Animal Services accepts reports of stray deceased animals for pickup during normal business hours. Reports involving a deceased animal blocking a street or road are accepted 24 hours a day.

There are important jurisdictional limitations. RCDAS does not remove deceased animals from underneath homes, and freeway incidents are handled by Caltrans rather than the county animal shelter system.

For owned pets, disposal and pickup options depend on location and are offered on a case-by-case basis. The department does not provide public cremation services. Owners may drop off deceased dogs, cats, and other small pets during normal business hours. The referenced fee for contract-city pickup is $55. In unincorporated county areas, the listed fee is $25 and the animal must be dropped off at a shelter.

Animal Control Citations

Residents who receive an Animal Control citation should first determine whether the citation is correctable or non-correctable and verify the deadline that applies to their jurisdiction.

For a correctable citation in unincorporated Riverside County or a contract city other than the City of Riverside, the recipient has 20 calendar days to correct the cited issue. City of Riverside residents receive 30 calendar days.

For a non-correctable citation, the payment deadline follows the same jurisdictional distinction: 20 calendar days for unincorporated areas and participating contract cities other than Riverside, and 30 calendar days for the City of Riverside.

Missing the correction or payment deadline can move the matter into collections. Residents should not assume that a deadline is extended merely because they have a question about the citation. Payment-plan, extension, and expired-deadline questions are handled through the contacts identified by the department for the relevant jurisdiction.

Forms, Ordinances, and Records

Animal Services maintains forms connected with kennel visitation, vaccination clinics, pet history and surgery consent, after-care instructions, and noisy animal declarations. Completing the correct form before arriving can reduce delays when a form is required for the requested service.

The department also provides access to county animal ordinances grouped under Title 6. These include provisions addressing animals generally, crowing roosters, miniature pigs, dogs and cats, abandoned or cruelly treated animals, and potentially dangerous or dangerous animals.

Those county ordinances apply to residents of unincorporated Riverside County. Incorporated cities may operate under their own local requirements or use applicable state laws, so a city resident should not automatically assume an unincorporated-county ordinance controls the situation.

Public records requests related to Animal Services can be submitted through the department's records process. The referenced procedure states that within 10 days after receiving a request, the records custodian determines whether the request seeks copies of disclosable public records and notifies the requester of that determination.

Rehoming an Owned Pet

RCDAS is required to accept lost and stray animals, but it is not required to accept every owned pet presented for surrender. Owned animals are accepted on a case-by-case basis depending on shelter capacity and the urgency of the circumstances.

The department reports operating at or above shelter capacity frequently and asks owners to consider alternatives before relinquishing a healthy pet. When shelter capacity exceeds 100 percent, RCDAS asks owners who can safely continue caring for the animal to delay relinquishment until capacity decreases.

Owners are encouraged to seek direct placement with friends, family members, or other appropriate new owners before requesting county intake. People experiencing a housing or personal crisis who are already working with a case manager, social worker, or another human support agency may have a separate path for possible temporary boarding. In that situation, RCDAS instructs the case manager or social worker to contact the department.

If an owner has an emergency, has no other rehoming option, and cannot continue holding the animal, the department directs the owner to contact its pet support center rather than assuming that an immediate walk-in surrender will automatically be accepted.

Final Department List

Riverside County Department of Animal Services / Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter
6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
(951) 358-7387

San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus
581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92582
(951) 358-7387

Coachella Valley Animal Campus
72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
(760) 343-3644

Blythe Animal Shelter
245 S Carlton Ave, Blythe, CA 92225
(760) 921-7857

Animal Services FAQs

Can I return a pet after adopting from Riverside County Animal Services?

Yes. Riverside County Animal Services states that adopted pets may be returned within 30 days. Before returning an animal because of adjustment or behavior problems, adopters can ask shelter staff about post-adoption support. A new pet may need time to settle into an unfamiliar household, particularly when there are children, other animals, or major routine changes. Review the county’s pet adoption information for current adoption and return policies before going back to a shelter.

Where do I apply for a kennel permit?

Kennel permits are not processed directly by Riverside County Animal Services. The county states that these permits are handled through the Riverside County Planning Department. This is an important distinction for residents who keep multiple animals or are trying to determine whether their property requires a kennel-related approval. The Animal Services forms and ordinances page identifies the permitting responsibility and also provides access to county animal rules. Residents inside an incorporated city should check the rules that apply within that city rather than assuming unincorporated county requirements apply.

What should I do with an unexpected litter of puppies or kittens?

If you can safely care for the litter temporarily, Riverside County Animal Services advises against automatically bringing young puppies or kittens into an overcrowded shelter. The department may be able to register eligible animals in its system while they remain with you as foster animals until they are old enough for adoption. This can reduce exposure to shelter illnesses while their immune systems are still developing. The county explains this option on its spay and neuter information page.

Does Animal Services provide humane euthanasia for owned pets?

Yes, Riverside County Animal Services provides humane euthanasia services in certain circumstances. Pet owners must visit a shelter during business hours and consult with the veterinary team rather than treating the service as an automatic walk-in procedure. The department also states that its policy is not to euthanize animals that are healthy or otherwise adoptable. Current requirements are available through the county’s pet services page.