Swedish Mouse Mafia, CatYE West, Barkley Eilish. You Won't Find Them At Coachella

A different festival is underway this weekend in the Coachella Valley, featuring headliners Barkley Eilish, Swedish Mouse Mafia and, well, Doja Cat.

Riverside Department of Animal Services is launching their first ever BarkChella event where you can adopt a pet from their Coachella Valley Animal Campus for free.

The Riverside Shelter currently has 700 cats and dogs that need homes. Erin Gettis, who is the director of animal services, said she hopes that the Coachella scene brings in more attention and potential adopters.

And if you've had enough of the wild festival action and find yourself in need of a more calming presence, Gettis said the shelter currently has plenty of elderly dogs who are in need of homes.

More than 700 cats and dogs will be up for adoption at the "BarkChella" event running through the end of April at the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

(Courtesy of Riverside County Department of Animal Services)

"That seasoned dog who is familiar with the deal, what it means to get up and go about the day, and is very contented to just be by your side and sleep and nap," Gettis said. "I think that's something else that's really cool about the dogs that we have right now."

BarkChella lasts through April, and the promotion includes:

• The pet's spay or neuter surgery
• Vaccinations
• A microchip

Adopters should be prepared to pay for the mandatory license if they live within Riverside County's jurisdictional areas.
Even if you don't find yourself in the Coachella Valley, your VIP BarkChella pass will also get you in at the Western Riverside County shelter.

• Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter
  
  • 6851 Van Buren Blvd., Jurupa Valley
    
• The Coachella Valley Animal Campus
  
  • 720-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms