Protesters Rally on El Paseo Demanding Action at Riverside County Animal Shelters

🐾 Outrage echoed down El Paseo in Palm Desert this morning as protesters raised their voices—and signs—against Riverside County’s animal shelter practices.

With slogans like "Stop the Abuse", "Consultant, $2.5 Million—Really?" and "Shame on Manny Perez," demonstrators marched to highlight the reported 7,000 cat euthanasias in 2023 and the recent approval of a $2.5 million consulting contract related to shelter management.

Many protestors declined interviews, emphasizing that the focus should remain on the animals, not themselves. “This isn’t about credit or fame,” one participant said. “We’re here for the thousands of dogs and cats that didn’t survive.”

The demonstration follows the unveiling of a giant billboard earlier this week condemning county leaders, including Supervisor Manny Perez, for perceived inaction. Critics argue the consultant funds should have been directed toward spay and neuter programs to address overpopulation.

📣 Why now?
Advocates say that after months of public outcry and little response from officials, they felt compelled to take to the streets. Demonstrators hope the high-profile location of El Paseo will catch the attention of decision-makers and the broader public.

💬 Community voices:
Residents have flooded platforms like Nextdoor with support. “The Roggin Report is spot on,” wrote Phyllis. “He didn’t charge $2.5 million to expose this mess.” Evanne added, “Fred Roggin’s coverage has become an invaluable asset, shining a light on local issues that matter.”

💭 What’s next?
Protesters vow to keep the pressure on until meaningful reforms are implemented. “You can’t fix this until you figure out what went wrong,” one demonstrator stated. “We need accountability before we can move forward.”

📢 Stay up-to-date on this evolving story at NBCPalmSprings.com.

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