Riverside County, California – Significantly changing its attitude to animal welfare, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has decided to use Outcomes for Pets Consulting’s knowledge to evaluate and improve Department of Animal Services’ operations. Made in response to persistent problems including controversial euthanasia rules and overpopulation in shelters, this choice seeks to establish a more humane and effective mechanism for county animal population management.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors hires animal welfare specialist Kristen Hassen
Under the direction of well-known animal welfare specialist Kristen Hassen, the consulting team is assigned to assess the Department’s present policies in-depth and create a strategic plan specifically meant to increase live outcomes for animals. Emphasizing the pressing need for reform, the initiative centers on a lawsuit brought by local activists dissatisfied with the department’s euthanasia policies.
The multi-million contract to last for more than two years
Under a contract valued over $2.5 million, Kristen Hassen and her team will be closely collaborating with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services until the end of December 2026. Having previously produced a consistent 90% live outcome rate at three other shelters, Hassen offers a great wealth of knowledge in animal shelter management and strategic planning.
4th District Supervisor Manuel Perez expressed optimism about the partnership.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to increase our live outcomes for Riverside County’s pets,” said Perez. “This partnership will allow us to see the areas where we’ve done well, the areas we need to continue to build up and support, as well as the areas we need to transform.”
The Department of Animal Services is being revitalized in line with a larger project overseen by a Board ad hoc committee created in July. Supervisors Perez and Yxstian Gutierrez co-chair the group, which seeks to address a number of important issues including staff recruitment, access to veterinary treatment, and shelter overpopulation.
Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez emphasized the dual focus of the committee’s goals.
“Our goal is not only to improve shelter conditions, but to also foster a positive connection with the community,” said Gutierrez. “By working together, we can create lasting improvements that benefit both animals and residents.”
The Department of Animal Services introduced thorough strategy earlier this year
In addition, the strategic plan will address a number of important topics that are essential to enhancing animal welfare in Riverside County, such as prevention, education, diversion programs, guaranteeing pet safety and humane treatment, encouraging positive community ties, developing a strong and competent workforce, and forging meaningful connections with partners.
This comprehensive approach seeks to transform Riverside County’s Department of Animal Services into a model of effective and humane animal care and management by addressing the immediate problems brought up by the lawsuit and offering a long-term operational framework.
The Department of Animal Services in Riverside County faces serious issues and challenges
Riverside County officials underlined in August difficulties the Department of Animal Services has, including handling too many stray animals transported from different municipalities. Visibly frustrated, Supervisor Kevin Jeffries then urged contract communities to create its own animal shelters to control their stray numbers.
Financial struggles pose significant obstacle
This discussion started during a meeting on necessary rate changes resulting from growing running expenses in the fiscal year 2024–25. These financial strains resulted in a 5% rate hike for the communities of Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, and Palm Desert, therefore raising their overall financial commitments to around $1.58 million until mid-2025.
Animal advocacy groups filed lawsuit against Riverside County Department of Animal Services
Animal advocacy groups in the Coachella Valley also sued the Department of Animal Services. They are being represented by the Walter Clark Law Group represented them. Arguing the county’s euthanasia policies violate the 1998 Hayden Act, the complaint, filed in Riverside County Superior Court, seeks a permanent injunction against them.
This legislation requires that, should an adoptable animal be rehomed, no adoptable animal should be euthanized; even those not immediately fit for adoption should have a chance with reasonable efforts. This innovative approach shows continuous issues about the compassionate care of animals housed in the Riverside County shelters.
Riverside County’s Department of Animal Services in the spotlight nationwide
With the Department of Animal Services claimed to have the highest kill rates in the United States in 2022, statistics from the Best Friends Animal Society indicates that the county’s euthanasia rates have attracted unfavorable attention nationally.
About 24,000 dogs and cats were euthanized throughout the two years 2022 and 2023. Supervisor Karen Spiegel in August questioned these numbers, pointing out the general problem of animal overpopulation many counties deal with and questioning the sources, therefore complicating their capacity to control influxes of stray animals into Riverside County shelters.
The main issues summarized
Just like thousands of animal services departments across the country, the Riverside County Department of Animal Services faces similar issues including overcapacity issues, resource constraints, and various community challenges underline the struggles faced by the department.
Overcapacity challenges
RCDAS shelters regularly run at or close to full capacity, which not only strains the workers but also the animals, therefore fostering a tense climate prone to inefficiencies. The department is sometimes driven toward interim housing options or, sadly, euthanasia given insufficient space and rising rates of intake.
Financial and staffing strains
The department’s capacity to increase facilities or staff is greatly limited by budgetary restrictions. Insufficient staffing aggravates the situation and sometimes results in employee burnout. Furthermore, the department mostly relies on volunteers, whose numbers have decreased and thereby adds to the operational challenges.
Animal care and welfare issues
The budgetary shortage affects veterinary services as well, which involves expensive vaccinations, spay/neuter operations, and treatment for diseases, so straying the department’s budget. Many animals are less likely to be adopted as many of them arrive with behavioral problems resulting from abuse or neglect. Thus, given these combined problems, high euthanasia rates remain an unpleasant necessity.
Community and educational challenges
The overpopulation issue is greatly exacerbated by educational disparities in the community regarding ethical pet ownership and the value of pet sterilization. Heart-wrenching tales of animal cruelty and hoarding also confront the Department of Animal Services in Riverside County. Lack of adoption tools and community support further complicates efforts at rehome animals.
The department is aggressively looking for more community support and resources to help to control the situation and create a more sustainable habitat for the animals under its custody. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services desperately needs ongoing and more help as things stand to really improve the quality of life for many animals and reduce the load on their facilities.
