More than 80 animals adopted at Palm Springs Animal Shelter

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. (KESQ)- Update 8/17/2026

More than 80 animals were adopted from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter over the weekend as part of a nationwide adoption event, it was announced today.

The Clear the Shelters adoption and fundraising campaign was held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave.

Adoption fees were sponsored by Marco Colantonio Real Estate Group, according to the shelter's website.

Shelter officials said 83 animals were adopted during the event -- 31 dogs, including 14 puppies; 51 cats, including 40 kittens; and one rabbit.

Original Report

The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens during a summer adoption event. The fee waivers are sponsored by Marco Colantonio Real Estate Group.state Group.

Event Details

• Location: 4575 East Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs, CA
• Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (opening an hour early)
• Cost: $0
• Available Pets: Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens

Pet adoptions typically decline during the summer as families travel for vacation and participate in seasonal activities such as camps. At the same time, shelters experience a seasonal surge in animal intake. For community members unable to adopt long-term, temporary fostering options are available to help free up space in local kennels.

There is also fostering available if you cannot adopt long-term. Temporary fostering can help free up critical space in the valleys kennels.

Regional facilities face severe space shortages during the summer months. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services reported reaching 220% capacity heading into the summer peak.

Nationally, approximately 5.8 million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters each year. Warmer weather creates a massive influx of litters, resulting in young animals under five months old making up nearly 30% of all annual dog intakes.

Jack Hagerman, associate executive director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, noted that springtime kitten season generates a high volume of animals just as adoption interest drops. “The summertime is really tough for most shelters because it's when we have the highest number of animals,” Hagerman said. “So we have a lot more animals and a lot fewer people who are interested in adopting. So that just creates a really tough situation for us to shelter.”

Despite the crowded conditions, animals continue finding permanent homes through unexpected encounters. Amber Wagner, a clinic volunteer, visited the facility without intending to adopt. “I wasn't planning on adopting today. I was actually, a volunteer from, my own clinic myself,” Wagner said. After meeting a cat named Chicken Bake, her plans changed. “As soon as I met chicken bake, I just. I fell in love and I knew she had to come home with me,” Wagner said, adding, “I'm excited for my new life with her. I'm excited for her.”

Volunteers are also working to find homes for older shelter residents that often remain longer in care. Doug Ogden, a cat volunteer at the shelter, noted that adult animals frequently get passed over during peak season.

“This weekend we're adopting a lot of our older cats and residents have been here and they're often overlooked for kittens,” Ogden said. He emphasized that the facility remains committed to placing every animal. “That is our goal here. We won't sleep and we won't stop until we find every cat, kitten, dog, puppy, a home forever. That's what we do,” Ogden said.