Gimme Shelter and a Pound of Advice, the State of Animal Welfare Overseen by the County of Orange*

Based upon industry standards and best practices, Orange County Animal Care kennel attendants are understaffed to meet the needs of animals under care. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

The Orange County Animal Care Volunteer program was stopped during COVID-19 and restarting the program has been slow, resulting in decreased animal socialization and enrichment. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

Orange County Animal Care's Behavior Evaluation Committee evaluates dogs for euthanasia without written guidelines, policies, or procedures, resulting in inconsistent outcomes over time. Behavior evaluated euthanasia outcomes are dependent on the experience and personal considerations of the individual committee members and management rather than written objective standards. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings. ROBBIE PITTS, Mayor • VINCE ROSSINI, Mayor Pro Tem NICOL JONES, Councilmember • CRYSTAL MILES, Councilmember • JORDAN WU, Councilmember

The rate of behavioral euthanasia of dogs has increased significantly over the last 2 years. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

Orange County Animal Care does not employ a professional or trained and certified animal behaviorist to oversee the shelter's dog enrichment program, resulting in dogs with declining behavior being placed at greater risk of being euthanized. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

While many county and city animal shelters throughout the state have active Trap, Neuter, and Return programs, Orange County Animal Care stopped its Trap, Neuter, and Return program, reportedly on the basis of the County Counsel's legal opinion that the program violates a California statute related to willful animal abandonment. City Response: The City agrees with the finding.

The termination of the Trap, Neuter, and Return program is correlated with an increase in adult cat euthanasia rate at the shelter. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

There have been public concerns and requests expressed over the years for public programs to include a spay/neuter program by Orange County Animal Care. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

The current adoption appointment system restricts public access to the dog kennels, thereby limiting potential adopters' access to all available animals. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

Internal and community engagement does not adequately communicate the shelter's mission and operating strategy. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.

The information currently on the Orange County Animal Care website for low-cost spay/neuter is not up to date with regard to referrals and prices for spay/neuter procedures. City Response: The City agrees with the finding based on the information provided by the Grand Jury Report. However, the City does not have the resources or staffing to independently verify the findings.