Riverside County runs one of the more adopter-friendly fee policies in California: after an animal’s first 48 hours of availability, adoption is entirely free. Here’s how the county’s three shelter locations work.
Riverside County’s Free Adoption Policy
Per the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, once the first 48 hours a pet has been available for adoption have passed, all adoptions are free — and that still includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, a microchip, and an engraved ID tag.
Three Shelter Locations to Know
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter | 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 92509 | Tue–Fri 11 AM–6 PM, Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM |
| San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus | 581 S. Grand Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92582 | Tue–Fri 11 AM–6 PM, Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM |
| Coachella Valley Animal Campus | 72-050 Pet Land Pl, Thousand Palms, CA 92276 | Tue–Fri 11 AM–6 PM, Sat–Sun 10 AM–4 PM |
The Western Riverside location can be reached at (951) 358-7387 (PETS) — all three locations are closed Mondays and holidays.
Why the “First 48 Hours” Rule Matters
A cat that just arrived may not yet qualify for the free adoption policy, since that initial window gives a previous owner a chance to reclaim a lost pet. If you’ve spotted a specific cat online and want to know its exact fee status, calling the shelter directly before making the trip is worth it.
Which Location Should You Visit?
- Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley covers the western part of the county and is typically the busiest
- San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus serves the central county area
- Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms serves the desert communities further east
- All three share the same fee policy and hours, so proximity is usually the deciding factor
Before You Adopt
Even with a free adoption fee, ongoing costs still apply — see our full annual cost breakdown for realistic budgeting, and our guide to cat-proofing your home before adoption before bringing a cat home.
Weighing a Kitten vs. an Adult Cat
At any of the three Riverside County locations, it’s worth genuinely weighing an adult cat against a kitten. Adult cats generally arrive with an already-formed personality, making it easier to predict how they’ll fit your household, while kittens require significantly more supervision and kitten-proofing throughout their first year. Staff at any of the three shelters can typically speak in detail about a specific adult cat’s known temperament.
Free Doesn’t Mean No Ongoing Costs
Riverside County’s free adoption policy covers the fee itself, but not what comes after. Plan for a litter box, litter, food and water bowls, a scratching post, and a first round of supplies ready before pickup day. Ongoing veterinary costs, including annual wellness visits and dental care as your cat ages, add up over the years — pet insurance is worth researching within the first few weeks of adoption, before any condition becomes a pre-existing exclusion on a policy.
Settling In After You Get Home
Set up a single quiet room with food, water, a litter box, and a hiding spot before giving your new cat access to the rest of the house, rather than introducing it to every room and family member at once. A calmer, more gradual first week at home tends to produce a noticeably more confident, settled cat over the following month.
A Note on the Desert Locations
If you’re adopting from Coachella Valley Animal Campus specifically, keep the desert climate in mind — indoor-only living is especially important given the region’s temperature extremes, and both cooling and heating costs may run higher than in a milder part of the county.
Multi-Cat Households and Introductions
If you already have a cat at home, plan for a gradual introduction over several days rather than a same-day meeting. Keep the new cat in its own separate room at first, swapping bedding between the two so each becomes familiar with the other’s scent before any direct interaction — rushing this step is one of the most common reasons an otherwise good match gets off to a rocky start.
Give the Adjustment Time
Whichever of the three locations you adopt from, give your new cat real time to settle before drawing conclusions about its personality. A cat that seems withdrawn or nervous in its first days at home is not necessarily reflective of how it will behave once it’s had a few weeks to adjust to an unfamiliar household.
Many adopters report a noticeably more confident, affectionate cat emerges after the first month than the one they initially brought home — patience during those early weeks pays off considerably, free adoption fee or not.
One Last Thing to Keep in Mind
Because all three Riverside County locations share the same policy and hours, proximity really is the main factor to weigh — there’s no pricing or process advantage to driving further to one location over another, so pick whichever is closest and call ahead to confirm current availability before you go. Given the size of the county, that proximity decision alone can save a genuinely long drive across the desert and back.
Once home, give your new cat real time to settle before drawing conclusions about its personality — a cat that seems withdrawn or nervous in its first days is not necessarily reflective of how it will behave once it’s had a few weeks to adjust to its new household and routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true cat adoptions are free in Riverside County?
After the first 48 hours a specific animal has been available for adoption, Riverside County Department of Animal Services makes all adoptions free, including spay/neuter, vaccinations, a microchip, and an ID tag.
How many Riverside County animal shelter locations are there?
Three: Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus, and Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms.
Are all three Riverside County shelters open the same hours?
Yes, all three currently run the same schedule: Tuesday–Friday 11 AM–6 PM, Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–4 PM, closed Mondays and holidays.
Why would a cat not be free yet at a Riverside County shelter?
Cats in their first 48 hours of availability are held at standard fee to allow owners a chance to reclaim a lost pet before the reduced-fee policy applies — call ahead to check a specific cat’s status.
Not in Riverside? We Can Still Help
Cats By The Tracks is a foster-based rescue serving Fresno and the Central Valley.