Apple Valley Animal Shelter temporary postpones acceptance of surrendered animals

The Apple Valley Municipal Animal Shelter has temporarily postponed the acceptance of surrendered animals at its facility on Powhatan Road.

Town officials announced Monday that the shelter is at full capacity and will not accept owner-surrendered animals from residents through July 18.

“Providing every opportunity for the animals in our care to be placed in permanent loving homes is a priority,” said Animal Services Director Gina Whiteside. “Managing the numbers of animals during this time helps free up kennel space for lost pets needing to be reunited with their owners.”

Each year, the 4th of July holiday brings additional lost and stray animals into the shelter’s care. This temporary postponement will also allow the facility to prepare for additional intake during the holiday, town staff said.

Owners must take their treatable animals to available veterinarians. The Apple Valley Shelter does not provide emergency veterinary care at its facility.

The shelter is also asking pet owners who reside within the County of San Bernardino to voluntarily wait to surrender their animals until July 18.

Regarding residents carrying for stray animals, the municipal code states that an owner is a person who owns, keeps, or harbors one or more animals.

An animal is deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for five or more consecutive days. Person includes any person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust, and any association of persons.

For additional information, please contact the Apple Valley Animal Shelter at 760- 240-7555.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz