Riverside Animal Shelter: Adoption Hours, Lost Pets, Field Services and Contact Help
The main Riverside-area county shelter is the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, operated by Riverside County Department of Animal Services. Use this guide to check hours, address, phone, adoption steps, lost pet help, field services, licensing, and official links before you visit.
Riverside Animal Shelter Quick Details
Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, part of Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509. This is the county shelter commonly searched as Riverside Animal Shelter.
Call (951) 358-7387, also listed as PETS. Toll-free: 1-888-636-7387.
Adoptions, lost and found pets, owner redemption, stray turn-ins, licensing, relinquishment, field services, and shelter support.
Riverside Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
| Service | Days | Hours | Important Visitor Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter / Adoptions | Tuesday through Friday | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Walk-in adoptions are listed as available during shelter hours. |
| Shelter / Adoptions | Saturday and Sunday | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Weekends can be busy; arrive early for pet meetings and paperwork. |
| Closed | Monday and Holidays | Closed | Do not rely on older listings. Check the official shelter page before traveling. |
| Licensing Hours | Tuesday through Sunday | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Licensing is a separate service from adoption and field response. |
| Phone Hours | Monday through Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | After-hours emergency answering service uses the main PETS number. |
| Field Services | Monday through Saturday | 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | A stand-by officer is listed as on duty during off hours. |
Riverside Animal Shelter Adoption Fees and What Is Included
Riverside County Department of Animal Services states that due to critical overcrowding in its shelters, all adoptions are currently free. The county also states that this includes microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations, and spay or neuter surgery for the adopted pet.
| Adoption Detail | Current Official Guidance | What It Means for Visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption Fee | Currently free due to critical overcrowding | Confirm on the official adoption page before visiting because promotions can change. |
| Microchip | Included with adoption | Make sure your contact details are correct before taking the pet home. |
| Vaccinations | Age-appropriate vaccinations included | Ask for paperwork so your veterinarian knows what has already been given. |
| Spay / Neuter | Included with adoption | Confirm whether the pet is ready to go home the same day or has any surgery-related instructions. |
| Dogs | Dogs also leave with a free engraved ID tag | Use the tag and microchip together to improve return chances if the dog gets lost. |
How Adoption Works at Riverside Animal Shelter
Use the official Riverside County adopt page and the Western Riverside County/City Shelter pet listings to see dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, barn cats, seniors, puppies, kittens, and mixed breeds.
RCDAS says visitors can visit any of its four locations during open hours to meet available pets and complete the adoption during the visit.
Most adoptions are completed within about one hour, including meeting the pet, completing paperwork, and any brief behavioral consultation.
What to Bring for Adoption
- Valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state/country ID.
- A leash for a dog adoption.
- A carrier for cats and small animals.
- Immediate family members who should meet the pet before adoption.
- Rental or landlord approval if your housing has pet restrictions.
- Time for the adoption process, especially on weekends or busy shelter days.
Pre-Adoption and DIBS for Stray-Hold Pets
Riverside County also describes a pre-adoption process called DIBS. Animals completing the mandatory stray-hold period may be available for pre-adoption. If the original owner does not reclaim the pet, the pre-adopter can take the pet home on the first day it becomes available.
It can help if you see an animal online that is still completing a required hold period but may become adoptable soon.
The original owner may reclaim the pet before the hold ends. Ask shelter staff how the process works for the specific animal.
Lost Pets, Found Pets and Owner Redemption
If you lost a pet in the Riverside area, start with the official Riverside County lost-and-found resources and the Western Riverside County/City Shelter listings. Search quickly and check repeatedly because pet status can change. If you believe your pet is at the shelter, bring proof of ownership and contact the shelter during the correct service hours.
Check official lost-pet listings, call the shelter, and prepare proof such as photos, vet records, microchip paperwork, license details, or adoption records.
Follow Riverside County found-pet guidance. If safe, check for a tag, scan for a microchip, and look for a nearby owner before assuming the pet has been abandoned.
Owner redemptions are listed among walk-in services for residents of unincorporated Riverside County or contracted cities.
Stray turn-ins are listed as walk-in services, but visitors are directed to add themselves to the waitlist. Check the official page before bringing an animal.
Riverside Animal Control and Field Services
Riverside County Department of Animal Services lists field services hours as Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a stand-by officer on duty during off hours. Field services cover animal-related response issues such as animal cruelty, noisy animals, deceased animals, licensing-related matters, citations, and ordinances.
- Animal cruelty concerns.
- Noisy animal reports.
- Deceased animal service requests.
- Licensing and citation questions.
- Ordinance and field-service issues.
- Stray animal and owner redemption support.
Walk-In Services and Appointment Services
The Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter lists adoptions as a walk-in service. For residents of unincorporated Riverside County or contracted cities, additional walk-in services listed include stray turn-ins, owner redemptions, licensing, pet relinquishment, humane euthanasia for animals determined by veterinary staff to be irremediably suffering, pet disposal, and surgery pick-up.
| Service Type | Examples | Before You Go |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-In | Adoptions | Check pet availability and bring ID plus transport supplies. |
| Walk-In / Waitlist | Stray turn-ins, owner redemptions, licensing, relinquishment | The official page directs visitors to add themselves to the waitlist for several services. |
| Appointment | License inspection and volunteer services | Use the official appointment link from RCDAS. |
| Vaccine / Shot Clinic | Vaccines and microchips | Listed as by appointment only during normal shelter business hours. |
Before You Visit Riverside Animal Shelter
Do not rely only on old search results. Riverside County posts the current Western Riverside shelter hours on its official location page.
For adoption, bring valid photo ID, a leash for dogs, or a carrier for cats and small animals.
Riverside County states its shelters are critically overcrowded, so adoption demand, available animals, and service queues can change quickly.
If you rent, confirm pet policies, breed rules, deposits, size limits, and written approval before adopting.
Nearby California Shelter Guides for Comparison
If you are comparing public shelter options across California, you can also review the LA Animal Shelter guide for a large city shelter system and the Orange County Animal Shelter guide for another Southern California animal services option. For Riverside County services, always use the Riverside County Department of Animal Services links below as the final authority.
Official Riverside Animal Shelter Links
Source verification note: This independent guide was written using official Riverside County Department of Animal Services pages. Confirm current hours, free-adoption status, pet availability, waitlist rules, holiday closures, appointment requirements, and field-service instructions directly with Riverside County before visiting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Going on Monday: The Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter is closed Mondays and holidays.
- Calling at the wrong time: Phone hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., not the same as weekend adoption hours.
- Assuming a pet online is guaranteed: Riverside County notes that animals move quickly through the system and specific pets cannot be guaranteed.
- Forgetting transport supplies: Bring a leash for dogs or a carrier for cats and small animals.
- Skipping family discussion: RCDAS recommends bringing immediate family members to meet a prospective pet.
- Missing waitlist instructions: Several walk-in services direct residents to add themselves to a waitlist first.
- Treating fee-waived adoption as permanent: Current free adoption language is tied to overcrowding and can change.
Riverside Animal Shelter FAQs
The main county shelter commonly searched as Riverside Animal Shelter is the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509.
The official phone number is (951) 358-7387, also listed as PETS. The toll-free number is 1-888-636-7387.
The shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Mondays and holidays.
Riverside County states that all adoptions are currently free due to critical overcrowding, including microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations, and spay or neuter surgery. Confirm before visiting because promotions can change.
Bring valid photo identification. If adopting that day, bring a leash for dogs or a carrier for cats and small animals.
Riverside County says most adoptions are completed within one hour, including meeting the pet, completing paperwork, and any brief behavioral consultation.
You can visit to meet available pets, but Riverside County notes that animals move quickly and specific animals cannot be guaranteed. Visit the same day if you are serious about a pet you saw online.
Riverside County’s adoption FAQ says returns are accepted within 30 days and that behavioral support is offered for common adjustment issues.
Field services are listed Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a stand-by officer on duty during off hours.
The Western Riverside shelter page lists vaccine and shot clinic hours as by appointment only during normal shelter business hours.
Final Takeaway
Riverside Animal Shelter usually refers to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd in Jurupa Valley. The key details are Tuesday through Friday hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closure on Mondays and holidays, and the main PETS phone number at (951) 358-7387. Because Riverside County shelters are currently dealing with overcrowding and fee-waived adoption notices, always verify current adoption status, pet availability, and service requirements on the official RCDAS website before visiting.
Map to Riverside Animal Shelter
Use the map button for directions to Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509.
Open Google MapIndependent guide. Not affiliated with Riverside County Department of Animal Services.
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.
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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.