Orange County Grand Jury • 2022-2023 • Agency Response
Response to: Gimme Shelter and a Pound of Advice - The State of Animal Welfare Overseen by the County of Orange

Responses to Findings F4. Based upon industry standards and best practices, Orange County Animal Care*

Published: August 25, 2023 4 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F5, F14

Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F4
Based upon industry standards and best practices, Orange County Animal Care kennel attendants are understaffed to meet the needs of animals under care. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: The City understands that Orange County Animal Care ("OCAC") is working to fill all vacancies and will further evaluate their staffing levels once they are fully-staffed. The City has not independently researched industry standards relating to kennel attendant staffing, but City staff has not directly observed inadequacies and is not aware of any complaints regarding this matter from Brea residents.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
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. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: The COVID-19 State of Emergency ended on February 23, 2023. The City agrees that OCAC suspended their volunteer program prior to this time, but understands that the program has resumed and monthly volunteer trainings are being held to recruit and Marty Simonoff Christine Marick Cecilia Hupp Blair Stewart Steve Vargas Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Honorable Maria Hernandez August 25, 2023 train new recruits. The City has not directly observed inadequacies and is not aware of any complaints regarding this matter from Brea residents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
By June 30, 2024, the Board of Supervisors should evaluate the strategic option of creating a Joint Powers Authority for the County and fourteen contract Cities to take ownership and shared responsibility for the financial and operating policies and practices of OCAC. Response: This recommendation requires further analysis. Explanation: The existing agreement between the City and OCAC for animal control and shelter services expires in 2026. The City would need to evaluate the budgetary, operating, and personnel impacts that it would incur by participating in a Joint Powers Authority between the County and the other contract cities. Implementation Schedule: Not Implemented. The City will assess the issue closer to the expiration of its existing agreement with OCAC, but a definitive implementation schedule is not possible at this time. In the meantime, the City will continue to work in partnership with OCAC to communicate any suggestions for their ongoing operations. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact City Manager Bill Gallardo by telephone at (714) 990-7711 or by email at billga@cityofbrea.net. Sincerely, Bill Gallardo City Manager City of Brea Brea City Council CC:
F7
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. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: Per the information provided by OCAC, the Behavior Evaluation Committee has euthanasia guidelines to ensure consistency in the decision evaluation process. The Committee does not provide the City its deliberations. The City's contract with OCAC requires OCAC to operate in compliance with laws that apply to animal care services.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The rate of behavioral euthanasia of dogs has increased significantly over the last 2 years. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: . It is the City's understanding that the overall dog save rate has remained stable over the past two years, and well above the 90% rate identified in their Strategic Plan. Per the information provided by OCAC, the increase in behavioral euthanasia of dogs with behavior/aggression issues is attributed to the significant increase in the population of unsocialized dogs that were abandoned or surrendered by their owners in the last two years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
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. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: While a certified animal behaviorist may not be employed, OCAC employs a variety of staff who interact with dogs to provide enrichment opportunities while in the shelter. It is the City's understanding that OCAC staff are hired based on their professional experience and are provided with further training to foster employee development.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
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. Honorable Maria Hernandez August 25, 2023 Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: The City has not independently evaluated TNR programs throughout the State. The County Counsel does not provide the City with details of its legal opinions.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The termination of the Trap, Neuter, and Return program is correlated with an increase in adult cat euthanasia rate at the shelter. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: Per the information provided by OCAC, it is the City's understanding that there is not a direct correlation between TNR and adult cat euthanasia at the OCAC shelter.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
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. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: The City is not aware of any requests or complaints regarding this matter from Brea residents. Also, OCAC communicated that they provide low-cost spay/neuter services in partnership with a non-profit organization called the Healthcare & Emergency Animal Rescue Team (HEART).
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The current adoption appointment system restricts public access to the dog kennels, thereby limiting potential adopters' access to all available animals. Response: The City of Brea agrees with this finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Internal and community engagement does not adequately communicate the shelter's mission and operating strategy. Response: The City of Brea disagrees wholly with this finding. Explanation: OCAC hired a full-time Public Information Officer in October 2022. The City has received regular communications related to initiatives, events, operating updates, and data sharing. OCAC representatives have participated in the City of Brea's community events, including both at the Pet Expo in 2023 and Tree Lighting Ceremony in 2022, where they have provided information to and engaged with members of the Brea community. Honorable Maria Hernandez August 25, 2023
No recommendations for this finding
F16
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. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: In reviewing OCAC's website, City staff located information on spay/neuter services. According to OCAC, the prices for spay/neuter procedures are set independently. To assist members of the public, OCAC provides low-cost spay/neuter services in partnership with a non-profit organization called HEART. RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION R6:
No recommendations for this finding

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.