Animal Friends of the Valleys is contracted to provide animal control services for the cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and Wildomar.
Animal control officers are authorized to investigate possible animal related law violations and take appropriate enforcement action. Every year animal control officers conduct hundreds of investigations, ranging from minor offenses to felony animal cruelty cases. In some cases our officers gain voluntary compliance by educating pet guardians about their responsibilities and proper pet care; in other situations it may warrant administrative action and/or an arrest and criminal prosecution. Our officers rescue stray, sick or injured animals. They are trained for emergencies.
Please report any suspicion of animal abuse, cruelty or neglect to Animal Friends of the Valleys during business hours at (951) 674-0618 Ext. 222 or 223 and after hours at (951) 506-5069.
Animal Friends of the Valleys believes that a humane future depends on the young people of our community.
AFV’s humane educator teaches children kindness, compassion, empathy and proper animal care.
The humane educator provides humane education in area schools, camps and for civic groups. These classes are offered free of charge.
To schedule a tour of the shelter, a presentation at a different location or information on Furry Friends Kids' Camp call (951) 674-0618 Ext. 210.
AFV is a firm believer in humane euthanasia for very sick, elderly or seriously injured pets.
For more information and advice, please call 951-674-0618, ext. 233.
Every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:30pm children of all ages are invited visit the shelter (accompanied by a parent) to read to the shelter animals!
Feel free to bring a book or two, check in at the classroom, and then go read to the animals.
Not only does this help the child with their reading skills, it provides companionship and socialization to the animals.
This program is completely free and open to the public every Wednesday afternoon.
Special thank you to Tracy Lystra and the Saving Huey Foundation for implementing and overseeing this great program!
For more information please email hueysheroes@outlook.com
When funds are available through donations or grants, AFV offers financial aid to senior citizens and low-income families within our jurisdiction to pay for medical procedures for their pets.
All grants are based on qualifications of residency, income, and pet owners age that must be met.
For more information about the Dryden Grant, Herdina Grant, Mildred E. Smernoff Fund, email Animal Friends of the Valleys at samantha@animalfriendsofthevalleys.com
State laws and city ordinances mandate that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies and licensed at the age of four months or within thirty days of moving into a city.
The Cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Menifee and Wildomar also require that your pet be microchipped and sterilized before licensing can be completed.
Riverside County is a declared rabies area. Rabies vaccination of dogs (a prerequisite for licensing) has been highly effective as an animal and public health measure, and is especially important in areas like ours where the potential threat of exposure to rabies from wildlife is a significant concern.
CLICK HERE for more information about how to comply with your City's Licensing requirements.
Lost your pet?
Here are some of the best ways to ensure that your pet returns safely home to you:
1. Come to the shelter to look for your lost pet!
Please bring proof of rabies vaccination and spay/neuter certificate (if applicable) and a collar and leash.
2. If your pet is not at the shelter, fill out a lost report HERE.
3. Look at other shelters in the area. CLICK HERE for a list of other shelters to check
4. Put up signs in the vicinity of where the pet went missing.
5. Check with local veterinarians and groomers.
6. Continue to come to the shelter every few days and physically look for your pet.
Visit AFV’s website at www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com under the tab ANIMALS regularly to see if your animal has arrived. DO NOT GIVE UP!
If you are reunited with your pet, please have the animal microchipped in the event the animal goes missing in the future.
If you have found a pet and want to hold it and try to find the owner, bring the animal to the shelter to have it scanned for a microchip. Please be sure to file a found report HERE.
Are you looking for a low-cost way to spay or neuter your pet?
At Animal Friends of the Valleys, we are dedicated to helping our community maintain a sustainable pet population so we offer easy access to high quality, low cost spay/neuter services.
Animal Friends of the Valleys Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic is open DAILY at:
29001 Bastron Ave.
Lake Elsinore 92530
CLICK HERE for more information about our High-Quality, Low-Cost Services
Nearly 90% of animals without microchips who become lost never find their way home again. A microchip is a foolproof way of identifying your pet and ensuring his safe return.
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and contains a unique number which will identify your pet. Most shelters, veterinarians and many pet stores utilize scanners to detect microchips in pets. If your pet is microchipped, and your information is current and the animal comes in to our shelter, we will contact you.
AFV provides microchipping for $20 at the shelter and our clinic.
Low-cost vaccinations and $20 microchips are available 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic in Lake Elsinore. Please call for an appointment (951-674-7729).
CLICK HERE for more information about our services.
AFV works closely with many approved rescue partners.
Our rescue coordinator sends out emails daily in hopes of having one of our rescue partners come and take an animal from the shelter in an effort to free up needed space.
To partner with AFV the rescue group must have an approved application on file. For more information call our Rescue Coordinator at (951) 674-0618 Ext. 224.
AFV understands the special bond senior citizens can form with animals. We regularly take animals to local senior residential communities to visit with the residents. The seniors enjoy petting, holding and visiting with the animals and the animals love the attention.
To have your personal pet "temperament tested" to attend these programs, please call our Volunteer Coordinator at (951)674-0618 ext. 214
AFV works very closely with Project Wildlife. Project Wildlife rehabilitates and releases many species of wildlife when they are ready to go back to nature. They have the expertise in repairing broken wings, illness and injuries to all wildlife. They also raise abandoned babies of all species.
If you see a baby bird of any species on the ground, please do not remove them the area. You can place them in an area (such as on the ground in bushes) protected from other animals. The mother (and father) will hear the baby’s cry and will continue feeding them.
AFV accepts all wildlife and will transfer the animal to Project Wildlife if deemed necessary.