Holiday Pet Adoption Event in Riverside

Riverside - People looking to add a furry friend to their family will have several dozen homeless cats and dogs to choose from outside Riverside City Hall tomorrow in a "Home for the Holidays" pet adoption day event.

"We appreciate the interest and the venue for this fun and important event," said Riverside County Animal Services Director Rob Miller. "Anytime we can be right smack in a major pedestrian area, it offers these homeless animals great exposure and a better chance at heading to a forever home."

The event is part of a nationwide "Home for the Holidays" pet adoption drive that emphasizes the availability of rescued and abandoned animals.

Among the dogs slated to greet visitors to the Main Street pedestrian mall will be Nemo, the Chihuahua rescued Monday from a canal where she and a 1- year-old male had been dumped. The dogs' snouts had been taped shut, and both were discovered clinging to a storm gate that filters debris running into a watershed near Cridge Street and Olivewood Avenue in Riverside.

The male Chihuahua died. Nemo, guessed to be about 3 years old, shows no signs of permanent physical damage, according to Department of Animal Services officials.

A $2,000 reward has been posted for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect. Anyone with information about the cruelty case is asked to contact Animal Services at (951) 358-7387.

Riverside City Council members visited the Riverside Animal Shelter and handpicked some of the other animals that will be available for adoption tomorrow.

Councilman Rusty Bailey found a Boxer and nicknamed him "Brutus." Councilman Steve Adams located two Dachshunds that he christened "Casey" and "Mindy."

The event will run until 7 p.m.

Riverside Department of Animal Services: rcdas.org