Canyon Lake’s animal shelter to hold virtual 10-year celebration

Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV), the animal shelter that serves Canyon Lake, is celebrating 10 years at its current Wildomar location. A special ceremony and shelter tour will take place on the shelter’s Facebook live feed on Sunday at noon.

AFV, a state-of-the-art non-profit animal shelter was built to care for lost or homeless animals from the cities of Canyon Lake, Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Menifee and surrounding rural county areas.

On Oct. 4, 2010, AFV opened the shelter doors and that year attended to over 15,486 animals. Last year, the numbers dropped to 9,806 dogs and cats. Its mission of helping to end pet overpopulation is working in the cities it serves as seen by the reduction of those animals entering the shelter.

The shelter is 32,000 sq. ft. and offers temperature-controlled rooms for the animals. The shelter cares for all animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, tortoises and various wildlife. AFV also has a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that offers low cost vaccinations located at 29001 Bastron Ave. Lake Elsinore. The clinic has two veterinarians on staff and is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pets are served by appointment only.

AFV has an excellent and dedicated Animal Control division staffed by Chief Mo Middleton. These officers work in all cities the shelter serves.

All staff at AFV adhere to these core values: employee excellence, outstanding community service, building strong networks, partnerships and alliances, educational advocacy and fiscal responsibility. AFV is dedicated to promoting humane care of animals through education and proactive animal service programs such as its foster programs.

“We are here for the animals,” Beth Soltysiak, Director of Development, said. “Our mission is to find all adoptable pets a loving and forever home.”

AFV has been opened throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as it is deemed an essential business by the governor. All spring and summer fundraising events were cancelled due to social distancing.

“We need to continue to reach out to the communities we serve,” Beth said. “These animals need our help. With this in mind we are continuing with two signature AFV events, Spooktacular, a pet costume contest on Oct. 31 at the shelter from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..and Wines for Canines and Kitties SIT-STAY-SIP virtual event Nov. 5 at 6:00 p.m.”

These community events will help AFV raise funding for COVID-19 relief. Visit animalfriendsofthevalleys.com for additional information on all events.

“Our mission continues even through pandemics and community emergencies,” Beth said. “We need to take care of the animals that are left alone. Please help AFV during these unpresented times.”

Animal Friends of the Valleys is dedicated to promoting humane care of animals through education and proactive rescue, health and emergency service programs, she said. It is committed to preventing the suffering of animals and to help end pet overpopulation in the six southern California communities it serves. AFV’s vision is to be recognized as a leading shelter in the nation by providing a safe haven for animals and a full-service animal care facility that offers quality and affordable care.