The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution aimed at establishing the county as a "no-kill" community for animal shelters. The resolution, co-authored by Supervisors V. Manuel Perez and Yxstian Gutierrez, received unanimous support with a 5-0 vote.
Supervisor Perez emphasized the need for increased resources to achieve this mission, stating, “This resolution took us a while to get here, to get to this space of a county coming together and understanding the gravity of the issue.” He added that a larger budget would be necessary to meet the demands of animal services in the community.
Perez has been active in improving animal welfare in Riverside County, including investments in spay and neuter clinics across various communities. The county is considering further steps such as funding additional positions for adoption efforts and potentially expanding shelter sizes if needed.
A Community Ad Hoc Committee has been formed by Supervisor Perez, consisting of respected figures from the local animal services community. Former Indian Wells Mayor Ty Peabody commented on the initiative: “In my opinion, this is a start in the right direction. This is not going to happen overnight and we need the public’s help to be successful.”
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services operates one of the largest shelter systems in the nation and aims to provide a safety net for animals turned away elsewhere. The new resolution affirms Riverside County's commitment to valuing every life and moving towards a more humane community.
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents Riverside County's Fourth Supervisorial District, which covers eastern areas from Whitewater through Coachella Valley down to Salton Sea and beyond.