Park n' Bark Classic Car Show

While many families headed to the beach to escape the heat last weekend, countless others spent their Saturday at the animal shelter trying to find the perfect addition to their family. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) is challenging their staff and surrounding cities to increase the number of adoptions from last year by waiving the fee. The Park n’ Bark Classic Car Show, held on June 29, is in its fourth year as an annual calendar event hosted by RCDAS. Despite the record-breaking temperatures over the weekend, mothers, fathers and their children spent time with different animals at the shelter, hoping to find the right pet. Mother and daughter Karie and Madison Arguello were the first to adopt a dog. Having spent the last week and a half at the shelter, the family has been waiting to find the perfect pet. Karie explained that she and her family sat at the shelter until closing the Friday before the event to make sure no one else claimed the Terrier mix they so badly wanted to add to their family. Saturday’s event featured a classic car show, live band, food and pet vendors, and various stations for families and their new pets. All of the money raised by the car show goes back to the shelter. The stations included a grassy area where families could bond with their dog, a physical performed by experienced veterinary technicians as well as a microchip, and a screening area where adoption specialists asked potential animal adopters a series of questions relating to their dog and lifestyle. The Riverside County Animal Shelter is one of 50 shelters participating in a nationwide challenge sponsored by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Rachel Ray. During the next couple of months, shelters will be competing for a grand prize of $100,000. The Shelter’s Public Information Officer John Welsh explained that by waiving the fee it helps bring many more people to the shelter, especially those who may not have considered adopting a dog before. “For us that work daily in a shelter who have to deal with compassion fatigue, seeing animals get euthanized … it breaks your heart. My colleagues have to do that very sad deed almost on a daily basis, so this is a very nice shot in the arm in terms of morale boost,” said Welsh. “We got into this business to help animals, not to euthanize animals, so it’s kind of a thrill to be part of this ASPCA challenge.” RCDAS Program Chief Kim McWhoter said, “I love coming to work every day just knowing that I’m doing something to help serve the community and the animals that really need it.” Since June 1, 811 animals have been adopted from this shelter alone. The normal adoption fee is $105 for dogs and $20 for cats. All adoptions includes vaccinations, microchip and spay or neuter. For more information, call 951-358-7387.