OC Animal Care is coming under fire, as activists say the shelter is euthanizing too many pets and not making it easy for the public to adopt cats and dogs. After community meetings and protests failed to motivate the county to act, a trio of animal rights organizations have decided to sue the shelter to end what they are calling a “killing spree.”
“[In] 2019, [OC] Animal Care had about 7000 adoptions. [Then in] 2020, of course because of the pandemic, it dropped dramatically, but the numbers really haven't improved since,” says Gustavo Arellano, columnist for the LA Times. “I think through the first half of this year, there [were] about 1700 adoptions. And so what the critics are saying is, ‘If you don't adopt these animals, well they're gonna get euthanized.’”
Want to help? Here are resources:
OC Animal Care - You can donate and set up adoption appointments.
OC Shelter Partners - This privately-funded group helps address pet owners’ needs, so dogs and cats can stay in homes and out of shelters.
Safe Rescue Team - At this nonprofit, volunteers rescue neglected and abandoned animals, and help them get fostered and adopted.
Cats in Need - Volunteers help stray cats find new homes, and help people become responsible owners.