Tammy Osborn, from OC Animal Care’s Community Outreach, wrote to a herpetology group on July 16, 2022, saying: “If you have any bunny resources, we currently have 70 rabbits. Some of them look like they are purebreds.” It raises questions why an animal shelter would offer rabbits to a group known for dealing with reptiles.
The response from the reptile organization was: “[…] if there are in fact 70, the folks from Arizona said they would meet me in Palm Springs Tuesday to pick them up.”
Last fall, it was revealed that San Diego Humane had transferred bunnies and guinea pigs to Arizona , where they were likely sold as snake food. To its credit, San Diego Humane investigated the matter relentlessly and took action immediately.
The OC Register reported that OCAC transferred out about 500 small pets to an organization that specializes in reptiles. Unlike San Diego Humane, OCAC’s stance has been to defend these actions without providing details or even showing concern about the fate of these small pets.
Emails released under the Public Records Act, after significant delays, show that OC Animal Care knowingly gave these small pets to a reptile group who was transferring them to “Folks in Arizona“. This raises serious concerns about a possible connection to the scandal in San Diego.
OC opted for secrecy over transparency in the handling of its small pets. Despite very specific community requests for records on animal transfers to Arizona, such as: “If, during 2022, OCAC was in any way involved in the transfer of such animals to Arizona, I would like the documents that were prepared to enable the transfer. […] I am including instances where OCAC relied on an intermediary and was merely aware of the fact that the animals are going to Arizona.” The county’s response: “OC Animal Care has concluded its search and is unable to locate records responsive to your request.”
Even as of December 2023, the spokesperson for OC Animal Care, Alexa Pratt, went as far as to assure the OC Register that the situation is different in Orange County: “Our hearts go out to the team at San Diego Humane Society. Their experience sheds light on some of the challenges of out-of-state placements,” she said. “In light of SDHS’ experience in Arizona, our team searched our own records to ensure we had not partnered with any of the publicly named individuals involved.”
Was this a matter of inability to find the said records or an unwillingness to conduct a more in-depth search? OCAC knew they had given at least 70 bunnies to a reptile group, which then passed them on to another group in Arizona. It seems that county officials were more concerned with the look of the possible reptile/Arizona connection than with resolving the underlying issues.
It’s alarming how these small pets appear to be treated merely as wholesale sold commodities. Several questions remain about the recipients of these animals in Arizona—are they real rescuers or profit-driven businesses? If they are indeed rescuers, why aren’t they collecting the animals directly from the shelter? Moreover, why would someone travel potentially 400 to 500 miles from Arizona, especially in the middle of the summer, to participate in a hand-off that occurs less than 100 miles from the shelter? These logistical inconsistencies raise further doubts about the true nature of these transfers.
Documentation obtained via Public Record Requests repeatedly show OC actively soliciting these transfers, opting for the easiest solution rather than ensuring the animals’ welfare. The claims of the reptile group working with a network of local rescuers are questionable, especially when all 70 of the animals pulled from OCAC in July 2022 were sent to one single undisclosed group somewhere in Arizona.
Despite the challenges, the kennel and office staff at the OC shelter are working hard and doing their best but are hindered by ineffective management and flawed policies. OCAC management, especially Monica Schmidt, who was recently promoted to the Director position, seems detached regarding the welfare of the animals, often appearing to keep such issues out of the public eye. Higher up in the political hierarchy, Cymantha Atkinson and Dylan Wright of OC Community Resources seem to prioritize political maneuvers, which detract from genuine community service. Even higher in the ranks, Lilly Simmering, the county’s Deputy CEO, appears mainly concerned with public perception. Her email response to the San Diego Humane scandal — ‘Oh no! This is growing’ — indicates a focus on avoiding bad publicity. As someone with significant influence over the animal shelter, a more proactive approach, such as calling for an independent investigation to review OCAC’s animal handling practices, might better clarify these issues and demonstrate a true commitment to transparency and accountability.
The role of the elected Board of Supervisors appears minimal, with Supervisor Don Wagner’s promises of an investigation remaining unfulfilled for months. In a statement to the OC Register, Wagner mentioned, “It’s absolutely worth looking into, but give us a couple of weeks.” That was five months ago, and there has been no progress reported. In the same article: Katrina Foley said she believes Orange County Animal Care when it says that the small animals are not being used as a food source. “No one has given me any reason to believe it is actually happening,” she said.
Compounding these concerns is the shelter’s apparent abandonment of its own Strategic Plan, which was designed to ensure proper care and management of the animals. This neglect underscores the need for rigorous oversight and a recommitment to the plan’s objectives. Given the lack of decisive action from Supervisors Wagner and Foley, and their apparent hope that public attention might fade, it falls upon us, the public, to demand greater accountability and transparency from our elected officials and those who they are supposed to oversee. If Supervisor Foley has additional information regarding the mass shipment of bunnies to Arizona, it is imperative that it be shared with the public. If not, a more thorough investigation is warranted.
To stay informed and to push for these necessary actions, please visit OCShelter.com and sign up for email updates.
Romina Yamashiro, a Santa Ana resident, is an advocate for animal welfare and shelter reform. Disturbed by the practices at OC Animal Care, she actively campaigns for transparency and systemic change, including calling for external audits. Romina also champions Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) initiatives and works to enhance access to affordable spay and neuter programs, aiming to positively impact both animal welfare and her community.
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