OC ANIMAL CARE

OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES - OC ANIMAL CARE

2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Kept essential shelter operations running while implementing new safety protocols to maintain staff and visitors’ safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. • Increased the combined save rate for dogs and cats compared to 2019 by about two percent despite the COVID-19 pandemic, modified processes and staffing changes. • Worked with community partners to develop and execute the Family Fur-st Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry, a monthly event designed to provide pet food to pet owners needing support. Six events were held totaling to 25,324 pounds of pet food distributed and 2,144 pets helped. • Responded to three catastrophic fires: Bond, Silverado and Blue Ridge. For all fires, shelter staff brought in and cared for a combined total of 88 pets from the evacuated areas. Animal Control Officers helped staff the incident command post, and coordinate and support pet owners with the safe transport of over 600 horses and other large animal pets. • Responded to multiple separate large-scale hoarding situations including 110 rabbits, 40 cats and 37 dogs. Staff examined, treated, cared for and found an appropriate placement for these pets.

2021 GOALS

• Form new collaborative partnerships to provide resources to community pet owners needing support so they may continue caring for their pets and avoid relinquishing ownership due to hardship. • Expand and promote public education such as opportunities to learn about responsible pet ownership and disaster preparedness for community pet owners. • Increase outreach opportunities and continue to implement innovative marketing ideas to help place traditionally longstay shelter pets into loving homes quicker and decrease the overall length of stay. • Increase intra-agency communication and collaboration toward a clear mission by focusing on training, policies and procedures.