(San Bernardino) – The San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control Division announced today that three county shelter locations will be participating in the Pets to Patriots program. Between now and the end of January, any U.S. military veteran can adopt an animal from one of three county locations completely free of charge.
"Pets can provide military families disrupted by absences of loved ones a calming presence of unconditional love and devotion or assist our soldiers in their readjustment to life back home," said Third District Supervisor and former Marine Neil Derry. "And I believe efforts like this reaffirm our county commitment to the men and women who fight for our freedom."
Pets to Patriots is a Los Angeles Animals Alliance program supported by a donation from the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. The organization’s website also lists high-kill shelters in Riverside, and Los Angeles counties that will be participating in similar programs to match homeless animals with military families.
According to a county press release, “The Los Angeles Animal Alliance, which operates the Pets to Patriots program at selected shelters throughout Southern California, will be providing a portion of the funding required to pay for each pet adoption to a qualified veteran. The remaining fees will be donated by the county’s own Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF), a charitable organization that uses 100 percent of its funding to assist animals in need in San Bernardino County.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to match pets who need homes with deserving military veterans who would appreciate companionship,” said county Animal Care and Control director Brian Cronin. “The holidays are the perfect time to make that bond.”
“To participate, veterans need to provide a participating shelter with one form of valid military identification. Identification includes a Veterans Identification Card (VIC), VA Health Card, Department of Defense/Uniformed Services ID Card, Disabled American Veterans Life Member ID Card, American Legion ID Card, DD-214 form, a Disabled Veteran California State Park and Recreation Pass or a letter from the San Bernardino County Office of Veterans Affair confirming former or present military service.”
The three County of San Bernardino shelters participating in the program are:
• The County's Animal Shelter in Devore, 19777 Shelter Way, (909) 887-8055. The shelter is open seven days a week at 10 a.m. and closes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m.
• The Big Bear Animal Shelter, 42080 Northshore Drive, Big Bear City, (909) 866-4943. This shelter is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m. The shelter is closed on Sundays.
• The Dog's Day Inn, 19575 Bear Valley Rd, Apple Valley, (760) 961-7535. This shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 7 a.m. until noon.
All shelters will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
More information on the program is available by calling San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control toll-free at 1-800-472-5609.
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