Orange County Grand Jury • 1999-2000 • Agency Response
Response to: The Rainy Season's "First Flush" Hits the Harbors of Orange County 5/17/00, 913K

We Can Do Better… Improving Animal Care in Orange County

Published: May 01, 2000 8 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 7 findings

F1
The lack of permanent management, and the resultant insufficiency of direction and leadership, has had a detrimental affect on the Center. It is imperative that the best- qualified candidate for Director of Animal Care Services be selected, as this person will have a great impact on the overall operation of the Center.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Health Care Agency conduct a nationwide search for a Director of Animal Care Services who possesses verifiable, successful experience in animal shelter management.
F2
It is similarly imperative to find the best-qualified candidate to fill the position of Chief Veterinarian.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Health Care Agency review the duties and responsibilities of the position of Chief Veterinarian and conduct a wide-ranging search for the best-qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with extensive management skills.
F3
The Veterinary management/staff have repeatedly neglected to follow their own policies and procedures regarding the timely treatment of ill or injured animals by not making daily rounds, inappropriate handling of controlled substances, and in the prevention of premature euthanization of potentially adoptable animals. Animals suspected of being ill with communicable diseases have not been immediately isolated and tested. Non- compliance with many policies and procedures has resulted in inadequate care and possible mistreatment of animals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Director of the Health Care Agency should order a complete review of existing policies and procedures for the Veterinary management to determine if they are current, reasonable, and enforceable. The review should determine how, in fact, department personnel are actually implementing those policies and procedures.
F4
The Grand Jury has been advised by the Center that the most current and humane euthanization procedures are being used. The Grand Jury questions whether the techniques currently being used to euthanize feral cats are the most humane.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Health Care Agency should assure that the most humane methods of euthanasia that provide the utmost safety and comfort for the staff are being utilized. New techniques for rapid and humane euthanasia for domesticated and feral animals must be evaluated and implemented.
F5
Issues such as inadequate staffing, poor employee attitudes, and low morale negatively impact the operation of the Center. A poor customer service image is the result of discourteous, uncaring attitudes being presented to the public.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The lack of cooperation that exists between the veterinary and kennel staffs is detrimental to both the employees and the animal population.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Instruct the Director of Animal Care Services and the Chief Veterinarian to hold joint- sessions between their staffs to resolve their differences. Procedures must then be implemented to provide solutions to the lack of cooperation between the two units.
F7
Advisory Board meetings are not well known or well publicized to the general public. 7
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Animal Care Services should consider better methods of informing the public of the schedule of Advisory Board meetings utilizing their web-sites, posting information on bulletin boards at the Center, and supplying notices on cable television.

Commendations 1