Pet Facts

Don’t wait until a disaster strikes to have a disaster plan for your animals. Plan for your pet’s care now.

Check our helpful resources for making a disaster plan for your pet.

During the last winter storms, Moreno Valley Animal Services was once again a safe haven for many lost pets.

Animal Services typically experiences an increase in lost pets during and just after substantial rain and wind. The rain softens the ground making it easier for dogs to dig out and weakens fencing that can be damaged by winds. During the last thunderstorm we housed many frightened pets that escaped their confinement. Many of the pets were safely returned to the owner, but a considerable amount met with untimely death due to a combination of poor visibility and traffic.

Animal Services recommends placing your pets in secure areas that will protect them not only from the weather, but from potential escape. We also strongly recommend that every pet wear identification tags and microchip identification, as collars and tags can become lost. Identification on your pet significantly increases the chance that your pet will return home safely should it become lost.

Pets that are kept out of doors should have shelter available to them. Many times dog houses are just not enough to protect pets from wind, rain and cold temperatures.

If you would like more information about protecting your pets from bad weather and disaster preparedness, please contact Moreno Valley Animal Services at (951) 413-3790.

Don’t wait until a disaster strikes to have a disaster plan for your animals. Plan for your pet’s care now.

If you find a lost pet:

• Contact the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter at 951-413-3790
• Email information and upload photos of the found pet to the following email link: animalshelter@moval.org
• Contact your local newspaper and ask to post a free “found pet” ad
• Check with your neighbors; the pet may belong to them!
• Post “Found Pet” flyers in your immediate neighborhood and al local places people tend to visit (Be sure to get permission before posting any flyers)
• Go to 24 Pet Connect and click on “Found a Pet” at the top of the page, on the next page scroll through the found pets. If you don't see the pet you found, select "Found a Pet Notice" and complete the online form.
• Report found animals through Pet Finder

Check the shelter

• View the kennels, puppy/small breed and cattery rooms daily.
• Stray animals are held for five business days for owner redemption.
• Check the DOA list, isolation board and lost & found daily, located in the lobby.
  • DOA list-animals picked up deceased.
  • Isolation list-animals not available for viewing by the public. These animals may be sick, injured, feral and aggressive.
  • Enter your information in the Lost Book located in the lobby and check the Found book daily. These books are for public reference; shelter staff is not responsible for monitoring them.
  • Post a picture and / or description of the pet on the Lost and Found board located at the end of the hallway as you enter the kennel area.

Additional Resources

• Check the Paw Boost. This site has additional ideas to help you find your lost pet.
• Search for your lost pet through the  24PetConnect. This database includes listing from many (but not all) animal shelters in Southern California.
• Search for your lost pet through the  Pet Finder website.

We all know that there are more cats and dogs than there are good homes for them. One of the best things you can do to help alleviate the situation is to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Mandatory Spay - Neutering Ordinance: Informational Brochure

Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet

Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.

• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You

Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.

• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.

Spaying or Neutering is Good for the Community

Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.

• Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
• Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
• Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
• Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.

 

MYTH:"My pet will get fat and lazy."
FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.

MYTH:"It's better to have one litter first."
FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.

MYTH:"But my pet is a purebred."
FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred.

MYTH:"I want my dog to be protective."
FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

MYTH: "I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male."
FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

MYTH:"It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered."
FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost—a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.

MYTH: "I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens."
FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.

The stray dog running through your neighborhood may have just escaped out of their yard or perhaps was abandoned several weeks ago.

Whether a dog has been lost for one day or three weeks doesn't matter. Stray dogs suffer. They are scared and confused by their surroundings. They are hungry and constantly looking for food. They run the risk of being hit by cars, teased or hurt by cruel people, or coming into contact with vicious or rabid animals. They may not be vaccinated against rabies either. And if they have the disease, they could bite another neighborhood animal or person and pass it along.

Remember the description and location of the stray animal and call (951) 413-3790. You’ll be ending the dog’s suffering, perhaps reuniting him with his owner, and making sure your community is safe.