'BarkChella' free pet adoption event runs through April 30

Press release from Riverside County Animal Services:

RIVERSIDE – Riverside County Animal Services is kicking off its first ever BarkChella, an adoption promotion that just happens to start on the cusp of the Coachella Music Festival.

The free-pets promotion includes the pet’s spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and a microchip. As with previous free adoptions, adopters should be prepared to pay for the mandatory license if they live within Riverside County’s jurisdictional areas.

The Coachella Music Festival’s first weekend begins today after two off years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staffers at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms are used to seeing the massive influx of visitors and heavier traffic on Interstate 10 when the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals boost the regional economy.

“Thousands of music fans come our way, so, why not boost the profile of our pets and the need for adopters?” said Jackie Schart, an animal services chief who oversees operations at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. “Come for the music, leave with a forever friend.”

The BarkChella promotion will also be honored at the department’s Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

“We need help right now and we’re not bashful about jumping on a creative opportunity to promote our homeless pets,” Animal Services Director Erin Gettis said. “Right now we have more than 700 dogs and cats that need loving families.”

On Monday, staffers at the Western Riverside shelter were caring for almost 600 animals, including 391 dogs. The Coachella Valley shelter team started the week caring for 225 animals, including almost 200 dogs.

BarkChella will run through April 30.