AFV's Spay, Neuter, Vax Clinic Temporarily Closes: What To Know

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Animal Friends of the Valleys, the non-profit animal shelter that serves much of Southwest Riverside County, temporarily closed its spay, neuter and vaccination clinic for an undetermined length of time during a staffing change, the organization announced this month.

The Animal Friends of the Valleys shelter at 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar, remains open for adoptions and other services, but residents seeking spay, neuter and vaccinations for pets will need to look elsewhere — for now.

The decision to temporarily close the low-cost clinic was two-fold: the resignation of the AFV clinic's veterinarian, and a focus on building a new low-cost clinic set to open this fall at the Wildomar Trail campus, according to a July 6 news release from AFV Chief Mo Middleton.

There was no explanation for the veterinarian's resignation, but the release stated that AFV "only had three weeks' notice to find a replacement option."

AFV is in contract with relief veterinarians around the valley, and a permanent clinic vet is sought, but the priority, for now, is shelter pets, according to the release. AFV serves the cities of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and Wildomar.

Many learned of the closure news online.

"We've been trying to get an appointment online since early February for neutering our dog," she wrote on Facebook. "When we tried calling the clinic, the receptionist said to check online. Now we are so confused!" one commenter on AFV's Facebook page wrote.

To avoid future confusion, the facility named a list of possible low-cost spay/neuter/vaccination locations across Southern California, including:

• Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption (Spay & Neuter Clinic)
• Ramona Animal Clinic
• Department of Animal Services Riverside County
• Affordable Spay & Neuter of Orange County
• Affordable Spay & Neuter of San Diego
• SNAP
• San Diego Spay & Neuter Resource Page
• Moreno Valley Community Vet Care Clinic
• Corona Community Vet Hospital
• Pet Smile Vet (Corona)
• Animal Hospital of Eagle Glen
• Anicira

AFV also provided a list of Riverside County veterinarians to contact for possible appointments.

The new spay/neuter/vaccination clinic is expected to be completed in the October/November timeframe and is being constructed next to the shelter.

"Our vision is to be recognized as one of the leading shelters in the nation by providing a safe haven for animals and full-service animal care facility that offers quality, affordable care to all," according to the news release.

View open job positions online: www.afv.org/apply