RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has partnered with Ironwood State Prison to bring people and animals together to help save and change lives through a novel foster program.
31 RivCo dogs started the foster program with incarcerated men at the state prison located in Blythe, where the dogs can socialize, exercise and learn new manners outside of the stressful shelter environment.
As one of the largest sheltering systems in the country taking in over 35,000 animals in 2024, RCDAS continues to operate in critically overcrowded shelters for dogs, and this new program is a unique opportunity to help both people and pets.
The human foster participants were screened and selected by prison staff and share daily caretaking responsibilities for the dogs…