I am writing to strongly urge the implementation of the existing Strategic Plan at Orange County Animal Care (OCAC). This will address and ultimately end the needless killing of adoptable/treatable dogs. This plan was developed in 2016 by animal welfare experts, JVR Shelter Strategies, at a cost of over $400K to OC taxpayers and subsequently approved by the Board of Supervisors. The plan includes recommended tactics that are currently supported by Guidelines For Standards of Care In Animal Shelters developed by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. In addition, findings of the most recent Grand Jury investigation (completed in 2023) are also consistent with the findings and recommendations made in the 2016 plan. All that is missing is appropriate action by shelter management to implement the plan.
Recent data and community observations have made it alarmingly clear that OCAC continues to kill dogs that are healthy, treatable and highly adoptable. Many shelters are currently overwhelmed with adoptable dogs but are addressing this issue with proven methods such as embedding a “professional consultant” to guide them in reforming the status quo (ongoing at Riverside and LA Counties). This practice has already been successful in making significant performance improvements in several large shelters across the country.
An excellent example of lost opportunities placing adoptable animals is Mario the German Shepherd. OCAC defined him as a behavioral risk despite being a volunteer favorite with lots of pictures of them interacting and playing with him. He would have lost his life if not for a last minute save by an Alaska rescue. Unfortunately, this is not a unique example. Large treatable dogs at OC Animal Services are losing their lives because they are being labeled as “behaviorally challenged” due to imposed stresses from inadequate socialization and being in their kennels way too long. The strategic plan calls for stress reduction practices for animals by providing adequate staff, enrichment, socialization, playgroups, foster care, sufficient volunteers, and behavior modification training.
According to longstanding volunteers, claims by OCAC that all adoptable dogs are available for public viewing is misleading and incorrect. An adoptable dog can potentially enter the shelter and never be seen by the public. The public can ONLY view dogs in the external kennels during public viewing hours. No animals housed solely in inside kennels (estimated at about 30% of the adoptable population) are even visible to potential adopters.
To that end, I respectfully recommend that OCAC commit to the following action as part of its strategic reform: Engage in an embed program offered by national animal welfare experts to support with implementation of the strategic plan. These programs are designed to collaborate with and support shelter staff in the implementation of proactive and positive programs defined in the strategic plan, ultimately reducing staff and volunteer stress by reducing the number of dogs and cats killed.
These are achievable, evidence-based reforms that can also help restore public confidence in OCAC’s mission. With strong leadership and community collaboration, OCAC can become a model of compassionate and responsible animal care. Please contact these key decision-makers and urge them to take immediate steps to stop the killing of adoptable/treatable dogs and implement a modern, humane strategic plan at OCAC.
Orange County Board of Supervisors
Email: City Officials’ Emails
Phone: BOS Phone Contacts
Dylan Wright, Director, OC Community Resources
Email: dylan.wright@occr.ocgov.com
Cymantha Atkinson, Asst. Dir, OC Community Resources Email: cymantha.atkinson@occr.ocgov.com
For more information about how you can help, please go to our OCAC Advocate website: OCShelter.com
Jackie Lamirande is an OC resident and former volunteer at OCAC. She has been an advocate for homeless animals for over 30 years working and volunteering in both the non-profit and municipal shelter sector.
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Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said, Previously indoor/outdoor kennels have been split with dogs in both sections of a single kennel. This has been deleted. The author regrets the error.