Riverside Pet Shelter at Capacity, Needs Fosters and Adopters

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside is at capacity for adult dogs, and officials say broader economic pressures are driving more pets into the shelter system than there is space or staff to handle. As of early April, the center had 31 canines in foster care; figures may have shifted since.

The nonprofit, which has operated in Riverside for more than a century, partners closely with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS), regularly transferring animals from county facilities to free up space there. That partnership has become especially important recently: as of early April, RCDAS was operating at more than 200% capacity.

"We can assume that the 'problem' isn't necessarily less adoptions happening, but instead it's more pets available than there is space to house them," the organization said. Staff point to a range of causes, including housing instability among pet owners, the cost of living, and limited access to low-cost spay and neuter services — which means more animals are born without guaranteed homes.

For families considering adoption, the center notes that every adopted dog arrives already spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed and current on vaccinations. Those upfront costs are covered by the adoption fee, which staff say makes even a modest fee reduction significant: it can be the nudge that gets a family through the door.

For those not ready to adopt, fostering is among the most direct ways to help. As of early April, the center had 12 adult dogs and 19 underage puppies in foster care; those numbers fluctuate as animals move in and out. Volunteers who open their homes to animals, even for just a few days, give pets a break from the shelter environment that can meaningfully reduce stress and improve their chances of adoption.

The center also welcomes volunteers in other roles: working directly with animals, helping at its thrift store on Magnolia Avenue, assisting at events, or contributing professional skills. Sharing adoptable pet profiles on social media is another low-barrier way to help.

Upcoming opportunities to connect with the organization include the PAC Walk on Saturday, May 9, a monthly morning event where participants walk alongside adoptable pets at the center. The center also holds a monthly nail trim clinic and operates low-cost vaccination and spay/neuter clinics open to the public.

More information: The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is located at 6165 Industrial Ave. in Riverside. The adoption center can be reached at (951) 688-4340; the clinic line is (951) 977-8634. Adoptable pets, foster applications, volunteer sign-ups and a full event calendar are available at petsadoption.org.