Riverside City County Animal Shelter & Adoption 2026
Looking for the Riverside City County Animal Shelter? The official facility behind this search is the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, operated by the Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS).
Although Riverside residents use this shelter for pet adoption, lost-pet reunification and county animal services, the physical building is in Jurupa Valley at 6851 Van Buren Boulevard, not in downtown Riverside.
Whether you want to adopt a dog, reclaim a missing cat, report a loose animal, license a pet or arrange a vaccine appointment, the process depends on the service you actually need.
Is Riverside City Animal Shelter the Same as Riverside County Animal Shelter?
For many everyday searches, yes: the main facility serving the City of Riverside is the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter. However, the City and County have distinct responsibilities, which matters especially for animal-control complaints and pet licenses.
City animal-services requests
The City contracts animal-control officers for service inside Riverside city limits.
The City’s official Animal Services page directs residents to 311 for:
- Stray, sick or injured animals.
- Animal cruelty complaints.
- Aggressive animals.
- Bite incidents and investigations.
- Dead animals on public property.
County shelter operations
Riverside County Department of Animal Services operates the shelter at 6851 Van Buren Boulevard.
The County handles public shelter functions including:
- Pet adoptions and pre-adoptions.
- Stray animal housing.
- Lost-pet searches and owner redemption.
- Eligible stray intake.
- Pet licensing services.
- Scheduled vaccine and microchip clinics.
Main animal-services line: 951-358-7387.
Riverside City County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
The County’s current Western Riverside shelter page lists the following public visiting schedule.
| Day | Shelter/adoption hours | Visitor guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | The public Adoption Center is closed. |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–6 PM | Walk-in adoptions. |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–6 PM | Walk-in adoptions. |
| Thursday | 11 AM–6 PM | Walk-in adoptions. |
| Friday | 11 AM–6 PM | Walk-in adoptions. |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM | Weekend public visits. |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM | Weekend public visits. |
| County holidays | Closed | Check the official shelter page for holiday operations. |
Riverside County Animal Shelter Adoption Fees in 2026
Riverside County currently uses a time-based adoption-fee policy. The fee depends on how long an animal has been available for adoption—not simply whether the pet is a dog, cat, puppy or adult.
| Animal | First 48 hours available | After first 48 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | $105 | Adoption fee waived |
| Cats: 8 weeks–4 months | $65 | Adoption fee waived |
| Cats: 5 months–1 year | $45 | Adoption fee waived |
| Cats: Over 1 year | $25 | Adoption fee waived |
| Other adoptable animals | Case-by-case | Confirm individual animal’s fee |
How to Adopt a Dog or Cat From Riverside City County Shelter
Walk-in adoptions are available during public shelter hours. The County follows a first-come, first-served process, and most completed adoptions can result in a same-day trip home.
Search currently available animals
Open the official Riverside County adoption page . Select the Western Riverside County/City shelter to focus on pets housed at the Jurupa Valley facility.
Note any animal ID and read the pet’s availability information before leaving home.
Plan your visit around public hours
Visit Tuesday–Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM, or Saturday–Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Avoid arriving at the very end of the day because meet-and-greets and paperwork take time.
Bring identification and transportation
Riverside County asks adopters to bring valid photo identification. Bring a leash for a dog or an appropriate carrier for a cat or small animal if you are prepared to adopt that day.
Meet your potential pet
Check in at the shelter and tell staff which animal interests you. You can ask about energy level, behavior, past medical treatment and compatibility with children or existing pets.
The County recommends bringing immediate family members when practical.
Confirm the animal’s fee or promotion
Ask whether the pet is still within its first 48 hours of adoption availability. This determines whether the standard adoption charge is applicable.
Complete counseling and paperwork
Shelter staff guide you through the adoption agreement and any required behavior or medical disclosures. The County says most adoptions are completed within approximately one hour, although busy days can take longer.
Take your pet home if eligible
Most pets are ready to leave the same day once adoption is completed. If the animal needs an outstanding medical procedure, staff will explain any delayed pickup requirements.
Riverside Shelter DIBS Pre-Adoption: How It Works
One of Riverside County’s most useful adoption programs is called DIBS!
It allows an interested adopter to complete preliminary adoption paperwork for an eligible animal that is still finishing its mandatory stray-hold period.
When DIBS can help
If you see a dog or cat that is not yet legally available for normal adoption, ask whether the animal qualifies for DIBS.
The County says applicable stray-hold periods can range from 3 to 10 days depending on the animal’s circumstances.
DIBS is not guaranteed ownership
The original owner retains the ability to reclaim the pet during the legally required hold period.
If the owner does not reclaim the animal and adoption becomes legally available, the pre-adopter may complete the pickup.
Walk-In Services vs Appointments at Western Riverside Shelter
A common mistake is assuming that every shelter service is available without an appointment. Riverside County distinguishes ordinary adoptions, kiosk/waitlist services and scheduled clinics.
| Service | Current access method | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pet adoption | Walk-in | Visit during shelter adoption hours. |
| Owner redemption | Walk-in / waitlist | Join the official service queue and bring ownership proof. |
| Stray animal turn-in | Walk-in / waitlist for eligible service areas | Confirm jurisdiction and queue requirements. |
| Dog licensing | Online, city route, or applicable walk-in service | Bring required rabies and other supporting documents. |
| Pet relinquishment | Waitlist and capacity assessment | Complete required information and confirm intake eligibility. |
| Vaccination / microchip clinic | Appointment only | Reserve a clinic appointment through the official website. |
| Public spay/neuter surgery | Limited mobile events | Check event announcements; normal public surgery booking is unavailable. |
Lost Dog or Cat in Riverside: What to Do First
If your pet has disappeared, do not wait for an animal shelter to call you. Riverside County recommends searching both online and in the neighborhood, and checking shelters repeatedly.
Register your missing pet
Start with the official Riverside County Lost & Found page . Follow its Petco Love Lost reporting link and upload a clear, recent photograph.
Check animals at the Western Riverside shelter
The County’s lost-and-found page links directly to found-pet listings for the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter.
Review listings regularly and note the animal ID for possible matches.
Search the neighborhood
Ask neighbors to check garages, side yards, sheds and other places where a frightened animal may be hiding. Distribute useful flyers with a photo and a reachable phone number.
Notify identification providers
If the animal is microchipped, contact the registry and confirm that your number is current. If the dog is licensed through DocuPet, use the service’s lost-pet tools.
Visit shelters more than once
A missing animal may not reach a shelter immediately. The County advises checking nearby shelters every couple of days because arrival can be delayed.
How to Reclaim Your Dog or Cat From Riverside County
If you locate your missing pet in the Western Riverside shelter’s online listings, prepare to prove ownership and visit as soon as possible.
Bring useful ownership evidence
- Valid photo identification.
- Recent pictures of the pet.
- Microchip information.
- License information, if applicable.
- Veterinary or vaccination records.
- Animal ID from the shelter listing.
Know the current reclaim-fee policy
Riverside County announced a policy waiving reclaim fees for lost dogs and cats. It also provides eligible reclaimed animals with a microchip and engraved ID tag.
Confirm any case-specific licensing, veterinary, or other requirements with the shelter when you reclaim the animal.
Found a Stray Animal in Riverside?
The correct action depends on the animal’s condition and where it was found. A frightened but healthy lost dog and an injured animal blocking traffic need different responses.
Look for its owner
If you can safely help, check identification and arrange a free microchip scan through an appropriate shelter or veterinary clinic.
Post the found animal using Petco Love Lost. The County encourages a safe temporary hold of at least 72 hours where possible while searching for the owner.
Contact the correct shelter
If you cannot safely keep the found animal, call the County and identify the exact street or municipality where it was found.
Eligible stray turn-ins are listed as a shelter waitlist service during business hours.
Ask for field-service help
Do not risk being bitten or hit by traffic. For animal-control assistance call 951-358-7387. If a person is in immediate danger, call 911.
Riverside Animal Control: Who Handles Which Call?
Riverside County Department of Animal Services provides contracted animal-control services, while Riverside City operates a 311 reporting system for complaints occurring within city limits.
| Situation | Where to start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Loose animal inside Riverside city limits | City 311 / 951-826-5311 | The City directs animal-control service requests through its 311 system. |
| Animal-control matter in Jurupa Valley or Eastvale | 951-358-7387 | These contracted communities use Riverside County Animal Services. |
| Animal cruelty or neglect inside Riverside city | City 311 | The City’s animal-services guidance includes cruelty reports. |
| Injured stray animal after shelter hours | 951-358-7387 | County Animal Services publishes an after-hours emergency answering service through this number. |
| Immediate threat to human life | 911 | Emergency police, fire or medical response. |
Emergency & Important Contacts for Riverside Animal Services
| Contact | Phone | Correct purpose / jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside County Animal Services | 951-358-7387 | General shelter help and County animal-control routing; also the published after-hours emergency answering number. |
| County toll-free line | 888-636-7387 | Riverside County Animal Services contact center. |
| City of Riverside 311 | 311 or 951-826-5311 | Non-emergency municipal service requests, including City of Riverside animal-control complaints. |
| Riverside Police non-emergency dispatch | 951-354-2007 | 24-hour non-emergency police/fire dispatch for City of Riverside matters. Not a replacement for routine animal-control requests. |
| Emergency services | 911 | Immediate threats to human life or serious emergency response. |
| RUHS Public Health — Disease Control | 951-358-5107 | Riverside County public-health questions involving rabies and potential exposure. Obtain medical care first when necessary. |
Riverside County Vaccine and Microchip Clinic Prices
Riverside County provides low-cost preventive vaccine and microchip appointments at the Jurupa Valley facility. These appointments are separate from shelter adoption hours.
| Animal | Preventive service | Official published fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | Rabies vaccine | $10 |
| Dog | DA2PP | $18 |
| Dog | Bordetella | $18 |
| Dog | Microchip | $21 |
| Cat | Rabies vaccine | $10 |
| Cat | FVRCP | $18 |
| Cat | FeLV | $18 |
| Cat | Microchip | $21 |
How to Book a Riverside County Vaccine Appointment
Select the shelter-based vaccine appointment option for the Riverside/Jurupa Valley clinic.
Review the available dates and complete the booking information. Do not assume vaccines are a walk-in service.
The legal pet owner must attend, be at least 18 years old, and bring the pet safely on a leash or in a suitable carrier.
Riverside County Spay and Neuter Appointments
Riverside County provides veterinary care for shelter animals and organizes limited public spay/neuter opportunities through mobile clinics and special programs.
How to find a current surgery opportunity
- Open the current County spay/neuter information .
- Check whether a mobile clinic has been announced for your city or supervisorial district.
- Follow the booking method on the actual event flyer.
- Check the animal’s eligibility, surgery preparation rules and published event charges.
Older pages may still display historical procedure fee tables. Do not treat those amounts as proof that a regular surgery appointment can currently be booked.
Does Western Riverside Shelter Offer Emergency Veterinary Care?
No general public emergency veterinary hospital service is advertised through the County’s shelter information.
Its public-facing clinic services focus on vaccinations, microchips and limited surgery programs, while County veterinarians also care for shelter animals.
City of Riverside Dog License Fees and Application Steps
Dog licensing is required, but the price depends on the actual city where the dog is kept. The physical shelter’s Jurupa Valley address does not determine a City of Riverside resident’s fee.
| Jurisdiction | Altered dog — 1 year | Unaltered dog — 1 year |
|---|---|---|
| City of Riverside | $26.75 | $125 |
| Jurupa Valley | $17 | $100 |
| Unincorporated Riverside County | $25 | $120 |
Required information
- Current rabies vaccination certificate.
- Microchip details, as applicable.
- Proof of spay/neuter for altered-dog rates.
- Owner information and qualifying senior documentation, if applicable.
Apply through the correct system
Start with Riverside County’s licensing page . It links to the official DocuPet licensing platform.
City of Riverside also accepts licensing applications through its official municipal process.
Need to Surrender or Rehome Your Pet in Riverside?
Surrendering a family pet can be difficult. Riverside County asks owners to explore safe rehoming options before requesting admission to an already crowded shelter.
Explore other placement options
Try trustworthy friends and family, appropriate rescue organizations and responsible rehoming services. Medical, behavior and housing problems may also have support options.
Acceptance depends on circumstances
Riverside County says owned-pet relinquishment is accepted on a case-by-case basis, considering space, urgency and the animal’s needs.
Even when a shelter provides a walk-in queue, being in the queue does not guarantee acceptance.
Help Riverside Shelter Pets Without Adopting Permanently
Open your home temporarily
Riverside County’s foster programs help puppies, kittens, senior animals, recovering pets and dogs needing a break from shelter life.
The County provides support and supplies according to foster needs.
Begin on the official foster information page .
Take a shelter dog on a day trip
Western Riverside participates in the County’s Dog Day Out program. This allows qualified participants to take a shelter dog on a temporary outing.
The program uses scheduled appointments at Western Riverside. Pickup is listed as 11:30 AM–1 PM, with return between 4 PM and 5:30 PM.
Check Dog Day Out availability before planning.
Other Riverside-Area Shelters and Service Boundaries
Western Riverside is not responsible for every animal found in the entire region. If the animal was found elsewhere, the responding agency or receiving shelter may be different.
Western Riverside / Jurupa Valley
For deeper information about the same County-run Jurupa Valley facility, see the Western Riverside County shelter guide . Use the official County service area to confirm field jurisdiction.
San Jacinto Valley
County shelter services in the San Jacinto area use a separate facility. See the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus guide when that location is relevant.
Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley maintains its own city animal-services operation. Do not automatically take an animal found there to Western Riverside. Check the Moreno Valley animal shelter guide for the appropriate local process.
Hemet
Hemet-area animal-control and sheltering routes differ from Riverside city’s route. The Hemet animal services guide provides that location’s details.
What to Bring to the Riverside Shelter
For adoption
- Valid photo identification.
- Animal name or ID.
- Dog leash or cat carrier.
- Payment for any applicable fees.
- Household questions for adoption staff.
For lost-pet reclaim
- Your ID.
- Recent photographs of the pet.
- Microchip number.
- License information.
- Veterinary records.
For vaccine appointments
- Confirmed appointment.
- Legal owner aged 18 or older.
- Pet safely restrained.
- Relevant vaccination history.
- Payment for selected services.
Map to Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter
Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter
6851 Van Buren Blvd
Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
Check that your navigation app shows Jurupa Valley rather than downtown Riverside. The shared county call center number is not evidence that every County shelter is at the same address.
Official Riverside County and City Animal-Service Resources
The important procedures, fees and contacts have been summarized in this guide. Use these official links for live animal availability, forms, appointments and policy changes.
Riverside City County Animal Shelter: 10 FAQs
1. Where is Riverside City County Animal Shelter located?
The official facility is Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509. It is operated by Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
2. What are Riverside City County Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Adoption hours are Tuesday–Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturday–Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. The shelter is closed Mondays and holidays.
3. What phone number should I call for Riverside Animal Shelter?
The main Riverside County Animal Services number is 951-358-7387. The toll-free number is 888-636-7387. These connect to the centralized County call center.
4. Do I need an appointment to adopt a dog or cat?
No. Ordinary pet adoptions are walk-in services during public shelter hours. Bring valid photo identification and a leash or suitable carrier if you intend to take an animal home that day.
5. How much does Riverside County charge for pet adoption?
During the first 48 hours a pet is available for adoption, the regular published fee is $105 for dogs. Cat fees are $65 for ages 8 weeks–4 months, $45 for ages 5 months–1 year, and $25 for cats over 1 year. After the first 48 hours of adoption availability, the County waives adoption fees. Separate dog licensing requirements may apply.
6. What is the Riverside shelter DIBS pre-adoption program?
DIBS allows eligible animals that are completing their legally required stray-hold period to be considered for pre-adoption. The original owner can still reclaim the animal during the required hold. A pre-adopter may take the animal home once it becomes legally available.
7. How do I find or reclaim my lost pet?
Search the Riverside County lost-and-found listings, register the missing pet through Petco Love Lost, and check nearby shelters repeatedly. Bring photo ID and proof of ownership to the correct shelter when you find a possible match. Riverside County has announced waived reclaim fees for lost dogs and cats.
8. Who do I call for animal control inside Riverside city?
The City of Riverside directs animal-control service requests through 311. You can also contact Riverside County Animal Services at 951-358-7387. For immediate danger to human life, call 911.
9. Does Riverside Animal Shelter offer vaccines and microchips?
Yes. The County operates preventive vaccine and microchip clinics by appointment. Listed services include $10 rabies vaccines, $18 DA2PP, Bordetella, FVRCP and FeLV vaccines, and $21 microchips. The legal pet owner must attend and be at least 18.
10. Can I book a spay/neuter surgery or surrender my pet?
Regular public spay/neuter surgery appointments are currently unavailable through the County’s shelter clinics. Limited mobile events may occur. Owned-pet relinquishment is considered case by case, depending on shelter capacity and circumstances. Call County Animal Services or review its official rehoming and spay/neuter pages.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.