Riverside County Animal Shelters Open Sundays, Offer Free Adoptions April 27

Riverside County animal shelters have expanded their operating hours to include Sundays, aiming to increase pet adoptions and alleviate overcrowding, with more than 1,000 dogs and over 100 cats currently in need of homes. The new hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, apply to most county shelters except the Blythe location, which remains closed on Sundays due to staffing constraints. To promote the change, the Department of Animal Services is waiving general adoption fees on the first Sunday, although basic license fees still apply. County officials, including Director Mary Martin and Supervisor Manuel Perez, emphasized that this move is intended to make adoptions more accessible and help more shelter pets find permanent homes. Foster opportunities are also available for those not ready to commit to full adoption. These efforts are part of ongoing reforms within the department to improve animal welfare and reduce shelter populations.