Calls No Longer Accepted: Rivco Animal Shelter’s New Policy Raises Concerns

RIVERSIDE COUNTY – In a controversial new policy, Riverside County Animal Services (Rivco) has announced that rescue groups and networkers can no longer call the shelter to save animals. Instead, they must email and wait for a response—a delay that could mean the difference between life and death for animals already on the euthanasia list.

While some animals are still being euthanized, the shelter has reportedly stopped euthanizing sick cats to artificially improve their data. Instead of humane euthanasia, the new consultant’s approach appears to be letting these animals die untreated—a policy that has left animal advocates outraged.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles' Best Friends Animal Society is offering a Valentine’s Day sleepover program, allowing people to take a dog or cat home for a night and adopt them if it’s a good fit. Advocates say Rivco should follow suit by:
✅ Extending shelter hours so more people can visit
✅ Keeping shelters open six days a week
✅ Offering free adoptions for two months
✅ Shifting money from consultants to actual shelter improvements

Animal rights supporters argue that action—not surveys or consultants—is needed. “Palm Springs Animal Shelter holds weekly adoption events and fundraisers—why can’t Rivco do the same?” one contributor asked.

With $2.5 million spent on a consultant, critics say the shelter needs real reform, not policies that put even more animals at risk. Will Rivco listen, or will advocates have to fight harder to push for real change?