As one of the nation’s highest-intake shelter systems, RCDAS took in over 29,000 dogs and cats, plus over 5,000 small animals, livestock, and wildlife last year. The department continues to operate in critical overcrowding for dogs at all four shelter locations, where some kennels house three to four large dogs together.

“Good ideas come from our community, and when we work together pets win,” said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. “Meredith Bettencourt of La Quinta called me to brainstorm more ways to save lives, and her willingness to help is the spark that led us to bringing Project Get Out from Arizona to Riverside County.”

“This truly is a team effort between private and public entities to get more dogs out of our shelters,” said La Quinta resident Meredith Bettencourt. “I’m hopeful the community can donate to this effort so it can grow and help as many pets as possible.”

Due to the generosity of the Jason Heigl Foundation, RCDAS is launching the first iteration of Project Get Out and will need ongoing fundraising to cover future costs. The public can support this effort by donating directly to Two Pups Wellness Fund, where donations will go directly to saving RivCo dogs.

This initiative is part of several new programs implemented by RCDAS as part of the RivCo Rise commitment to help more pets leave the shelter system and improve the live release rate for dogs and cats. The first phase of Project Get Out will be available to rescues by invite-only.

Interested rescue organizations can send an email to shelterinfo@rivco.org to learn more about the program and visit www.rcdas.org/adopt to view adoptable dogs.

Riverside County Department of Animal Services: The Riverside County Department of Animal Services shelters more than 35,000 animals annually across four locations, making it one of the largest sheltering systems in the country. RCDAS provides adoption, lost pet reunification, pet support services, and public safety programs, all aimed at keeping pets with families and increasing animal lifesaving.

Jason Heigl Foundation: Founded in 2008 by Nancy and Katherine Heigl, the Jason Heigl Foundation works to create a future where no companion animal suffers from cruelty, neglect, or needless euthanasia. Through rescue efforts, medical care, transport programs, legislative advocacy, and its nationwide Namaste Initiative, the foundation has helped tens of thousands of animals and has sponsored more than 7,000 free spay/neuter surgeries for owned pets across the country. Learn more at www.jasonheigl.foundation

Two Pups Wellness Fund is an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to saving the lives of overlooked and discarded animals. Working directly with municipal shelters and local rescues, the organization funds care and treatment programs and initiatives including Project Get Out, which promotes long-term animal welfare. Since its inception in 2017, Two Pups Wellness Fund has helped save more than 16,000 animals. For more information on their lifesaving programs visit TwoPups.org.

Press Release

Media Contact:
Veronica Perez, Public Information Officer
veperez@rivco.org
(951) 608-4167