Submitted by Riverside County Department of Animal Services
The Fourth of July is the nation’s busiest weekend for lost pets entering shelters, according to new data just released by Shelter Animals Count. To boost reunifications, Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) will host a free Microchip & Vaccination Clinic on Sunday, June 29, 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all four shelter locations. First-come, first-served; no appointment, open to Riverside County residents.
“I encourage all RivCo pet owners to take advantage of this great opportunity, and I applaud the RCDAS team for doing their part to help keep pets in homes,” said Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We can all play a part in helping the pets in our County, and keeping lost pets from entering our shelters is a good first step.”
Holiday Closure All shelters will be closed Friday, July 4th, and reopen Saturday, July 5th. Field Services will only respond to emergencies during the closure.
Lost a Pet?
Starting July 5th, walk through our kennels or check the Lost Pet Search Page (www.rcdas.org/lost-pets). Search community-held pets on Petco Love Lost (www.petcolovelost.org) and neighborhood sites like Nextdoor or local Facebook groups.
Found a Pet? Post on Petco Love Lost, Nextdoor, and Facebook, then walk the dog around the find area – most are recovered within one mile. Non-emergency shelter intakes resume July 5th.
Emergency Dispatch Call 951-358-7387 only for animals that are injured, aggressive, or blocking traffic.
Quick Safety Tips for July 4th
- Keep pets indoors and secure
- Never use fireworks near animals
- Avoid table scraps, alcohol, glow sticks, and human bug spray
- Use vet-approved calming aids
- Confirm microchip and ID tags are current or come get FREE microchips, vaccines, collars, and tags at our clinics at all 4 locations on June 29th.
“Our vet staff is looking forward to helping pets in the community stay safe this summer,” said RCDAS Chief Veterinarian Dr. Amy Raines. “Having an emergency plan for lost pets is important, and microchips and ID tags are crucial to reuniting pets with their families and preventing them from entering our shelters.”
All reclaim fees are waived at all shelter locations to include waived adoption fees. The department continues to operate in critical overcapacity with the number of dogs in kennels, which is why it is important to reunite lost pets quickly during the Fourth of July weekend.
For more holiday tips visit the Riverside County Department of Animal Services website.
