California Adopt-a-Pet Day - Riverside County

Riverside County Animal Services to Offer Fee-Waived Adoptions on June 6 ymachado June 4, 2026 On Saturday, June 6, Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) will join animal shelters across California in offering fee-waived adoptions as part of the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day, hosted by the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA), and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). “We look forward to making a big impact on Saturday by helping as many pets as possible meet their perfect match,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “Our shelters are full of one-of-a-kind dogs and cats who can add enormous joy to your life just in time for summer fun and adventures.”  The third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day builds on two consecutive years of record-breaking results. When the event launched in 2024, 3,609 animals found loving homes in a single day, far exceeding its initial goals. In 2025, 148 animal welfare organizations across 212 event locations helped find homes for 4,979 pets. This year, organizers are aiming to surpass 5,000 adoptions for the first time. To date, the event has placed 8,588 animals in homes over its first two years. The ASPCA is providing grants to underwrite adoption fees at most participating organizations including RCDAS and shelters across the state. In 2025, 46 percent of California Adopt-a-Pet Day adopters were doing so for the very first time. Animals of all breeds, ages, sizes, and energy levels are available at participating shelters. Most shelter animals are already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before adoption. Shelter staff will help ensure adopters are matched with an animal who is the right fit for their lifestyle. “RivCo shelters are full of wonderful pets waiting for their forever homes,” said Fifth District Supervisor Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez. “With over 1,000 animals to choose from there is a pet for everyone who walks through our doors where you can also walk out with your new family member.”  The event comes as animal shelters across California continue to face capacity pressures. In 2025, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. animal shelters and rescue organizations nationwide. Only about 30 percent of California households currently adopt their pets from shelters or rescue organizations. California Adopt-a-Pet Day was created in part to address these challenges, removing cost as a barrier to adoption and connecting more animals with loving homes. WHAT: RCDAS joins animal shelters across California for the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day, offering fee-waived adoptions for available animals.  WHEN: Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 10am-4pm                        WHERE: RivCo shelters San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92582 Coachella Valley Animal Campus72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Western Riverside County/City Animal 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509 For more information about the adoption process visit www.rcdas.org/adopt. The California Adopt-a-Pet Day website features an interactive map to help residents find participating shelters near them. To learn more, visit caadoptapetday.org and follow along using #CAAdoptAPetDay on social media.  Images CA Adopt a Pet Day.png June 1, 2026