16 responses to findings and recommendations
R1
Resources Department and arrange for mandatory leadership training for all managers and supervisors that includes a curriculum of leadership skills, people skills, and diversity (F.1.).
Response: Will Not Implement
Scheduled: within 45 days
Score: -1
.
R2.
R3.
Consider a change of leadership within the Orange County Community Resources Department and arrange for mandatory leadership training for all managers and supervisors that includes a curriculum of leadership skills, people skills, and diversity (F.1.). The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or reasonable. The recommendation to consider a change of leadership within the Orange County Community Resources Department is beyond the scope of the Orange County Grand Jury which is authorized to conduct investigations, make findings and recommendations but n...
F2
The trap, neuter, and return practice is reportedly delaying the spaying, neutering, and treatment of domestic dogs and cats awaiting adoption and is evidence that the domestic animals have been assigned a lower priority for surgery than the spaying, neutering, and micro-chipping of the feral cats.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
, E3;
F.4.
focused efforts to examine and improve employee engagement and address morale will also include OC Animal Care needs. The trap, neuter, and return practice is reportedly delaying the spaying, neutering, and treatment of domestic dogs and cats awaiting adoption and is evidence that the domestic animals have been assigned a lower priority for surgery than the spaying, neutering, and micro-chipping of the feral cats. Disagrees wholly with the finding. This finding is based on perceptions without factual substantiation. OC Animal Care does not delay any medically necessary treatment t...
R2
Discontinue the practice of giving feral cats priority for surgery over the domestic dogs and cats awaiting adoption (F.2.).
Response: Will Not Implement
Scheduled: within 45 days
Score: -1
.
R3.
Consider a change of leadership within the Orange County Community Resources Department and arrange for mandatory leadership training for all managers and supervisors that includes a curriculum of leadership skills, people skills, and diversity (F.1.). The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or reasonable. The recommendation to consider a change of leadership within the Orange County Community Resources Department is beyond the scope of the Orange County Grand Jury which is authorized to conduct investigations, make findings and recommendations but not to...
R3
Discontinue feeding feral cats and allowing feral cats to roam freely in and around the Animal Shelter (F.3.).
Response: Will Not Implement
Score: -1
Consider a change of leadership within the Orange County Community Resources Department and arrange for mandatory leadership training for all managers and supervisors that includes a curriculum of leadership skills, people skills, and diversity (F.1.). The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or reasonable. The recommendation to consider a change of leadership within the Orange County Community Resources Department is beyond the scope of the Orange County Grand Jury which is authorized to conduct investigations, make findings and recommendations but not to engage ...
F4
Animal Control Officers do not have effective equipment or appropriate procedural options to deal with unique, emergency circumstances that may require special procedures such as tranquilizing and euthanizing in the field.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
focused efforts to examine and improve employee engagement and address morale will also include OC Animal Care needs. The trap, neuter, and return practice is reportedly delaying the spaying, neutering, and treatment of domestic dogs and cats awaiting adoption and is evidence that the domestic animals have been assigned a lower priority for surgery than the spaying, neutering, and micro-chipping of the feral cats. Disagrees wholly with the finding. This finding is based on perceptions without factual substantiation. OC Animal Care does not delay any medically necessary treatment to animals. OC...
R4
Develop proper protocols for Animal Control Officers to follow when confronted with unique circumstances in the field that require tranquilizing or euthanizing animals and take all measures necessary to ensure that the Animal Control Officers can be given the proper equipment and training in that regard (F.4.).
Response: Will Implement
Scheduled: within 45 days
Score: +1
focused efforts to examine and improve employee engagement and address morale will also include OC Animal Care needs. The trap, neuter, and return practice is reportedly delaying the spaying, neutering, and treatment of domestic dogs and cats awaiting adoption and is evidence that the domestic animals have been assigned a lower priority for surgery than the spaying, neutering, and micro-chipping of the feral cats. Disagrees wholly with the finding. This finding is based on perceptions without factual substantiation. OC Animal Care does not delay any medically necessary treatment to animals. OC...
R5
Establish a more aggressive approach in hiring qualified personnel on a timely basis, especially with the position of Animal Control Officer (F.5.). Conduct an evaluation of the Feral Free Program to determine its effectiveness
Response: Implemented
Scheduled: within 45 days
Score: 0
.
R6.
R7.
Establish a more aggressive approach in hiring qualified personnel on a timely basis, especially with the position of Animal Control Officer (F.5.). The recommendation has been implemented. OC Community Resources advertised the planned recruitment for Animal Control Officer Trainees beginning June 2, 2105 and the process is proceeding. The adopted budget for FY 2015-16 includes $454,000 to permanently fill nine (9) vacant positions in OC Animal Care. Conduct an evaluation of the Feral Free Program to determine its effectiveness in the reduction of zoonotic diseases. (F.6.). The re...
F6
There is little evidence that the Feral Free Program has been successful in reducing the feral cat population, which could be a contributing factor to the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
budget that will decrease the vacancy rate to 10%, 'The FY 2015-16 budget includes funding to permanently fill nine (9) vacant positions. 'The finding that response to calls for service is linked to the fact that the County operates the only animal shelter in the county i wholly inaccurate. OC Animal Care serves unincorporated areas and 18 contract cities. There are 34 cities in Orange County and a number of other shelters located in the following communities: Dana Point, M Huntington Beach. These shelters and the other non-contact cities provide their ion Viejo, Irvine, Newport Beach, Seal Be...
R6
in the reduction of zoonotic diseases. (F.6.).
Response: Will Implement
Scheduled: within 45 days
Score: +1
budget that will decrease the vacancy rate to 10%, 'The FY 2015-16 budget includes funding to permanently fill nine (9) vacant positions. 'The finding that response to calls for service is linked to the fact that the County operates the only animal shelter in the county i wholly inaccurate. OC Animal Care serves unincorporated areas and 18 contract cities. There are 34 cities in Orange County and a number of other shelters located in the following communities: Dana Point, M Huntington Beach. These shelters and the other non-contact cities provide their ion Viejo, Irvine, Newport Beach, Seal Be...
F7
Kennels are hosed down with dogs still present in the kennels, resulting in the dogs getting soaked and becoming more susceptible to disease. If Animals Could Talk About the Orange County Animal Shelter
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
that returning sterilized cats back to their communities allows them to maintain their niche and keep unaltered newcomers out. From the start of this program in April of 2013 to July, 2015, 3,879 cats have been released back into the communities from which they came, via the Feral Free Program. This is less than 1.3% of the community cats estimated to live in Orange County. Cats that are deemed candidates for the Feral Free Program are returned only to the communities from whence they came; feral cats are #o/ relocated. OC Animal Care maintains that the Feral Free Program does not promote cat ...
R7
Utilize the "move-one-down" method for cleaning kennels to avoid soaking the animals. (F.7.).
Response: Will Implement
Scheduled: within 45 days
Score: +1
that returning sterilized cats back to their communities allows them to maintain their niche and keep unaltered newcomers out. From the start of this program in April of 2013 to July, 2015, 3,879 cats have been released back into the communities from which they came, via the Feral Free Program. This is less than 1.3% of the community cats estimated to live in Orange County. Cats that are deemed candidates for the Feral Free Program are returned only to the communities from whence they came; feral cats are #o/ relocated. OC Animal Care maintains that the Feral Free Program does not promote cat ...
F8
Kennel attendants were observed leaving the large water hoses running when not being used for cleaning purposes, thereby wasting large quantities of water.
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
EBD.
F.10.
Kennel attendants were observed leaving the large water hoses running when not being used for cleaning purposes, thereby wasting large quantities of water. Agrees with the finding. OC Animal Care reports that kennel attendants were using large water hoses for cleaning purposes. Employees self-identified the need to change practices in order to avoid leaving hoses running when not in use. Changes were implemented in 2014 to decrease water use such as moving to sweeping of driveways and walkways rather than hosing with water. Cages are spot cleaned if appropriate, so as to not use m...
R8
Place nozzles on all water hoses and direct kennel attendants to turn off the water when not being used. (F.8.).
Response: Will Not Implement
Scheduled: FY 2015/16
Score: -1
.
R9.
R10.
Place nozzles on all water hoses and direct kennel attendants to turn off the water when not being used. (F.8.). The recommendation will not be implemented as it is not reasonable. 'The spray nozzles have been shown to aerosolize bacteria which increase the risk of disease transmission. However, OC Animal Care implemented new cleaning protocols using less water pressure and includes water saving measures. Improve the ventilation system in all cat trailers for the health and survival of the cats (F.9.). The recommendation has been implemented. The repairs to the inoperable air con...
R9
Improve the ventilation system in all cat trailers for the health and survival of the cats (F.9.). If Animals Could Talk About the Orange County Animal Shelter
Response: Will Not Implement
Scheduled: FY 2015/16
Score: -1
R10.
Place nozzles on all water hoses and direct kennel attendants to turn off the water when not being used. (F.8.). The recommendation will not be implemented as it is not reasonable. 'The spray nozzles have been shown to aerosolize bacteria which increase the risk of disease transmission. However, OC Animal Care implemented new cleaning protocols using less water pressure and includes water saving measures. Improve the ventilation system in all cat trailers for the health and survival of the cats (F.9.). The recommendation has been implemented. The repairs to the inoperable air conditionin...
F10
There is a rodent problem, creating additional risk of humans and animals contracting zoonotic diseases. RECOMMENDATIONS In accordance with California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the 2014- 2015 Grand Jury requires (or, as noted, requests) responses from each agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on its investigation titled "If Animals Could Talk About the Orange County Animal...
Response: Disagree Partially
Score: 0
Kennel attendants were observed leaving the large water hoses running when not being used for cleaning purposes, thereby wasting large quantities of water. Agrees with the finding. OC Animal Care reports that kennel attendants were using large water hoses for cleaning purposes. Employees self-identified the need to change practices in order to avoid leaving hoses running when not in use. Changes were implemented in 2014 to decrease water use such as moving to sweeping of driveways and walkways rather than hosing with water. Cages are spot cleaned if appropriate, so as to not use more water tha...
R10
Promptly control the rodent population in order to reduce the possibility of spreading diseases to human beings and animals (F.10.).
Response: Will Not Implement
Scheduled: FY 2015/16
Score: -1
.
Place nozzles on all water hoses and direct kennel attendants to turn off the water when not being used. (F.8.). The recommendation will not be implemented as it is not reasonable. 'The spray nozzles have been shown to aerosolize bacteria which increase the risk of disease transmission. However, OC Animal Care implemented new cleaning protocols using less water pressure and includes water saving measures. Improve the ventilation system in all cat trailers for the health and survival of the cats (F.9.). The recommendation has been implemented. The repairs to the inoperable air conditioning u...
