Free Dog Adoptions Continue At Riverside County Fair

Over 40 dogs have already found new homes at the annual event.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Riverside County Animal Services is offering free dog adoptions at the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival from February 26 to March 1, 2026. So far, 43 dogs have been adopted on-site from the fair. The county is committed to saving lives and making it easier for families to welcome a new pet into their homes by removing adoption fees.

Why it matters

The free dog adoption event at the county fair is an innovative way to increase pet adoptions and find loving homes for shelter animals. It aligns with the county's goal of reducing euthanasia rates and making pet ownership more accessible to the community.

The details

Adoption specialists will be on-site to help match prospective adopters with the best dog for their home and lifestyle. The free adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip, and an engraved ID tag. The available dogs include a variety of breeds and sizes, including larger dogs and puppies.

  • The free dog adoptions will take place from February 26 to March 1, 2026.
  • On-site adoptions will be held on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The players

V. Manuel Perez

Fourth District Supervisor for Riverside County.

Jaclyn Schart

Deputy Director of Programs and Operations for Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

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What they’re saying

“Our commitment to saving lives means making the community part of the solution. The Fair has always been about bringing families together, and this is another meaningful way to do just that. By offering free adoptions, we're removing barriers and giving more families the opportunity to welcome a new pet in their home. Let's get even more dogs adopted this week and save lives together.”

— V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor (Patch.com)

“We're excited to help families find their new family member and seeing new connections between people and pets is especially magical at the fair. One Saturday here we adopted all of the dogs we brought, which goes to show how amazing these dogs are and how important it is for community members to consider opening their home to a shelter pet.”

— Jaclyn Schart, Deputy Director of Programs and Operations (Patch.com)

What’s next

The county is hopeful that the free dog adoption event will continue to be a success, with the goal of finding loving homes for even more shelter animals during the remainder of the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival.

The takeaway

The free dog adoption event at the Riverside County Fair demonstrates the county's commitment to reducing euthanasia rates and making pet ownership more accessible to the community. By removing financial barriers and providing adoption support, the county is helping to create new connections between people and pets, which can have a lasting positive impact on both the adopters and the animals.