By Janet McAfee
Great news! The adoption of homeless pets is helping home bound humans cope with the pandemic crisis! With people adopting more animals from shelters and rescue organizations, these “angels in fur” pay it back with lots of unconditional love and loyalty.
What better way to shelter-at-home than spending time with your new rescue dog or cat. Surrounded by bad news and fears of an uncertain future, many folks are finding comfort from a purring cat sitting on their lap. A tail wagging dog with his hugs and kisses brings contagious joy to your family.
Many people have thought about adopting, but busy work schedules and travel plans led them to postpone. Now with time on your hands, training a new dog provides you with a rewarding project. Watching the playful antics of your new cat will give you respite from depressing news watching. There is a wealth of information online to help with training and assimilating him to your home.
Animals work miracles in our lives, and bring us joy during these dark days. Rescue animals, having already experienced the trauma of losing their first family, teach us to live in the moment, becoming stronger and wiser through adversity.
Some of the organizations listed below offer foster programs that help prepare animals for their “furever” homes. Pictured here is Celine Dusablon with her two foster puppies, Boo Boo and Logan from Loving Animals. The organization rescued these puppies from a situation of severe neglect. Siblings Boo Boo and Logan spent their entire lives (4 months) shut inside a guest bathroom, never let outside, and bereft of human contact. Celine explains, “The puppies were shaking for several days when they arrived at the shelter. They were still timid when I brought them home to foster. They didn’t know how to play or how to explore the back yard. But they warmed up quickly, followed me everywhere, and loved to cuddle. They took away my worry about what’s going on in the world.” This week, the bonded pair was happily adopted TOGETHER.
Below is a partial list of shelters and rescues in the Inland Empire. The information is current as we go to print, but please call them for update as things can change. If you cannot adopt or foster right now, consider making a donation to one of these private rescues as they rely on public donations. “Like” their Facebook pages and become part of the rescue army.
COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – This large county shelter is open for adoptions, but limits the number of people entering at one time. View the animals at all 5 county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal(s) you want to meet. Open Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Located at 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public)
PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – Shelter closed, and you must call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesday. View their animals online at www.psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public)
CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE – Open for adoptions. Located at the Barkingham Pet Hotel, 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-3833. (Private)
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private)
KITTYLAND – Open for adoptions, but only admit one adopter at a time. Open 12noon-2pm Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs. www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. Cats also at PetSmart Palm Springs. Currently only adult cats. (Private)
LOVING ALL ANIMALS – Shelter currently closed, dogs in foster homes. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private)
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sun/Mon. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” to obtain website to view animals and get ID number of the animal(s) you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 384-7272. (Public)
DREAM TEAM ANGELS – Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue.com. (Private)
If you need assistance in locating a rescue animal of any kind, please email me. There is a great website www.Petfinder.com where you can enter your zip code and the specifications for your desired pet, and you will receive a list of nearby rescue animals. Hugs & Wags!
