Animal services to hold 'Clear the Shelters' on Aug. 17

A UC Riverside student was all smiles when adopting a dog at a previous "Clear the Shelters" event.

Pet lovers will have the opportunity to adopt a dog or cat for the cost of a donation Saturday in the Riverside County Animal Services' annual "Clear the Shelters" event.

The event will be held at animal shelters in San Jacinto, Jurupa Valley and Thousand Palms beginning at 11 a.m. The San Jacinto shelter, located at 581 S. Grand Ave., serves the Menifee area. In the four previous years of this event, more than 1,300 pets have been adopted, according to a news release.

According to a "name your adoption donation" format, guests may adopt a pet for whatever donation price they name. Those adopting a dog would be required to pay a dog license fee, which is $17 in most areas of Riverside County. Adopters must bring a valid ID.

Regardless of the adoption-donation amount, all adoptions will still include the pet’s spay or neuter surgery, a microchip and vaccinations.

"This event has brought hundreds of adopters to our shelters in past years – and we’re hopeful we’ll see the same results on Saturday," said Dr. Allan Drusys, director and chief veterinarian for Riverside County Animal Services. "We are always pleasantly surprised by the large turnout of people wanting to adopt."

Potential adopters are warned of possible long wait lines, and patience is requested during the process.