Are you missing out on Coachella this year and want a dog? Or (maybe) even better, are you going to Coachella this year and want a dog?
Then you’re in luck, because every animal shelter in Riverside County is offering free adoptions over two weekends this month, April 9-12 and April 16-19.
Those two weekends happen to coincide with one of the most highly anticipated music festivals anywhere in the world: Coachella, which takes place in Indio on April 11-13 and April 18-20.
Now, while you most likely won’t be seeing stars like Lady Gaga at shelters this month, you will see other stars like Janet, who is one of many dogs that have been in the shelter for over three months that are “headlining” the “Barkchella” event.
“Janet [has waited] over 180 days for a home,” the Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) said. “She is an 18-month-old spayed Rottweiler mix who came to the shelter in October of last year.”
Described as “sweet, affectionate and a lover of scratches,” Janet does well on walks with other dogs, RCDAS said. She is one of the nearly 1,100 animals across all RivCo shelters who is looking for a home; Janet herself is available for adoption at the Western Riverside Animal Campus in Jurupa Valley.
A “concert poster” sent out by RCDAS has an “all-star lineup” of dog and cat breeds available for adoption. Among the “headlining names” are German shepherds and tabby cats, with other “performers” including terriers, orange cats, poodles and Calico cats.
“We have so many wonderful dogs and with summer right around the corner, now is the time to find your hiking, swimming, outdoor companion who can share in your adventures,” RCDAS Director Mary Martin said. “It’s nearly impossible not to fall in love when you visit our shelters and meet these amazing pets.”
“Our community includes our pets, and I’m hopeful we can work together to help the dogs looking for a home,” added Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. “There are so many loving pets who need a loving family to take them in, and fee-waived adoptions are a great opportunity to change a life.”
Potential adopters can visit any of the county’s four shelters during open hours to meet adoptable pets. The four locations are:
- Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter: 6851 Van Buren Blvd., Jurupa Valley
- San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus: 581 South Grand Ave., San Jacinto
- Coachella Valley Animal Campus: 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms
- Blythe Animal Shelter: 245 South Carlton Ave., Blythe
For families who are considering adding a new pet but want to see how they do in their home before they adopt, RCDAS offers a short-term option where families can foster a pet until they are fully ready.
Individuals who would like to help but cannot adopt full-time can sign up to foster here.
According to RCDAS, their facilities are home to more than 35,000 animals annually, making their pet sheltering system one of the largest in the country.
