Animal Services cares for thousands of potential pets

BY KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara County Animal Services, the county’s largest open admission shelter, provided care for 4,601 animals in 2022 — an increase of nearly 3% over the prior year.

Fortunately, Animal Services also saw a significant increase of placements of pets to loving families, resulting in 1,934 adoptions and 1,246 foster matches for the year.

That’s according to the agency’s recently released annual report.

“SBCAS is building the largest foster network on the Central Coast, resulting in fewer animals living isolated in kennels and more flexibility to adapt to the community’s needs,” Animal Services Director Sarah Aguilar said in a news release.

Through the growth of the fostering program, SBCAS has had many success stories including reuniting 29-year-old macaws, Heckle and Jeckle, with their lifelong caregiver, Charlotte.

When Charlotte and her friend Linda drove off for a vacation with Linda’s beloved macaws, they envisioned themselves soaking up some sun and browsing the quaint shops in Solvang. But partway through their vacation, they got into a tragic car accident.

Charlotte and Linda were rushed to the hospital, where Linda tragically succumbed to her injuries, and Charlotte received emergency medical care. The parrots were transported to Santa

Barn fire in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — A fire destroyed a barn Tuesday night in the 4000 block of Vista Clara. Flames were reported by a neighbor. The barn was fully engulfed on arrival, and the fire was knocked down by Santa Barbara County firefighters at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Capt. Scott Safechuck, public information officer for County Fire.

Capt. Safechuck said the various livestock were uninjured. Firefighters remained on scene for overhaul/mop-up.

The cause is under investigation, Capt. Safechuck said in a tweet.

— Katherine Zehnder

Lockdown at Santa Maria High School

SANTA MARIA — The Santa Maria High School administration issued a lockdown at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday as a precautionary measure after receiving a request from the Santa Maria Police Department.

It appears the SMPD was handling an incident on South Broadway near the campus.

The lockdown was lifted at approximately 1:30 p.m.

All students and staff are safe and sound. Normal school activities have resumed, according to Kenny Klein, public information officer for the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.

Katherine Zehnder

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Barbara County Animal Services for care.

Nearly three months after the accident, Charlotte reunited with her family, Heckle and Jeckle.

“Nothing is more joyful than

TRAFFIC, CRIME AND FIRE BLOTTER

reuniting pets with a loving owner, and it’s our great honor to serve people like Charlotte,” Animal Services said in its news release. While the success stories are many, SBCAS continues to see an increase of animals entering the shelters. Beginning in early November, the campuses in Santa Maria and Goleta experienced a daily average of 14 animals entering the shelters for care.

SBCAS continues to encourage Santa Barbara County residents to volunteer and/or foster these loving animals.

“We are reconnecting with our community members as we encourage them to visit us and help care for pets who are temporarily without families,” said Ms. Aguilar. “County residents are reaching out to volunteer, foster, donate and adopt in numbers that we haven’t seen since before the pandemic. The enthusiasm is propelling us forward as we continue to expand services and accessibility to all areas of the county.”

Additional statistics include:

• 9.476 service activities by Animal Control officers.

• 13,879 donated volunteer hours.

• 969 pets returned to their homes.

• 2,399 spay and neuter surgeries.

To see the entire report, go to countyofsb.org/1434/statisticsreports. email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Bicyclist injured

SANTA BARBARA — A bicyclist was injured Wednesday evening during a hit-and-run by a motorist at Ortega and State streets.

First responders from the Santa

Barbara City Fire Department and the Santa Barbara Police Department came on the scene. Fire department personnel treated the man, who was complaining about an injury to his right leg. The bicyclist also received help from a physician, who was on the scene before

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News Hotline 805-564-5277 the fire department personnel arrived.

The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. The bicyclist was heard saying he had a green light and that the driver didn’t stop for a red light.

— Dave Mason