Riverside County Animal Shelter hosts `Shimmy’ to get pets adopted

Belly dancers by the dozen will be shimmying, shaking and twirling Saturday to encourage Riverside County residents to adopt a pet from the county’s largest animal shelter.

About 50 dancers will take part in the annual “Shimmy for Critters” event at the Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, starting at 11 a.m.

“Many people may not necessarily connect belly dancing and pets,” said Department of Animal Services Director Rob Miller. “But we have learned that many belly dancers share a kindred spirit with the Earth and all of its creatures.”

The nonprofit Animal Solutions Konnection, ASK Foundation, along with former shelter employee Marilyn Chocron, introduced the belly dancing benefit to Riverside County in 2010. Chocron died of breast cancer last year, but her colleagues are carrying on with the cause.

Dancers from Carrie Ann Inaba Animal Project will perform at the shelter until 6 p.m.

“It’s a lively celebration between two groups of people striving toward a common goal,” Miller said.

As part of the occasion, the shelter will waive all charges for the first 25 pet adoptions, after which all impounded dogs and cats will be offered for adoption at the reduced rate of $20.