Milo (left) and long-term shelter resident Fenway 2-19-2020
At the time of taking the photo above one year ago today (shortly after Andi Bernard took over as Shelter Director at OC Animal Care), it was enjoyable ‘in the moment’ but disheartening in afterthought considering it appeared to be an omen of ‘things to come’ at OC Animal Care. Here I was back at the shelter hanging out with Milo, a 10 year old staff favorite and true Ambassador to bully breeds previously scheduled for euthanasia due to mediocre medical concerns. We were waiting to pick up the ONE AND ONLY Mr. Fenway, who was silently requested to be picked up through a rescue to avoid the bad impression it would leave on morale when a 2 year intake would be back on the rescue needs list facing the threat of euthanasia. Yes, it has not been openly disclosed but when Fenway went back to the OC Shelter after his adoptive mom had a medical complication that put her in a rehab hospital, his review under new management would make him no longer available for public adoption. And I know this because I was the temporary foster requested to pick him up prior to the shelter opening and before the next ‘behavioral staff meeting’.
Christmas with Fenway at OC Animal Care
Fenway (formerly #A1560635) endured at the shelter for 2 YEARS, and was the poster boy for the ‘new shelter model’ taking place at 1630 Victory Road. Because although he came in to the shelter under problematic circumstances and did not have the best track record during his first few weeks at the shelter; through hard work and compassion by staff and volunteers he was made available for public adoption and waiting for that perfect match. He was labeled as ‘not good with dogs’ (So was Milo mind you) and had to be placed in a pit-bull experienced home with no other dogs. After a year at the shelter multiple video clips of him having no negative behavior to other dogs were sent to staff, and he was awarded another go at playgroup… And Fenway was not only good with a decent amount of dogs, he was promoted online playing alongside them (bit.ly/3sns6af ).
A Dramatic Shift To Animal Welfare In Orange County
Rescuing Fenway (left) from the shelter with his new friend Milo (right)
Is It The Same As It Was At The Old Shelter, Or Is It Worse?
3 years ago in February, people were upset when there were 8 dogs on the euthanasia list and only 7 available for public adoption (bit.ly/3pDtOlZ). Yet right now there are 40 dogs on the rescue list and only 22 available for public adoption at OC Animal Care (bit.ly/3qx54Nr), and the only thing more concerning than this occurring is that few Orange County residents are even batting an eye to the abrupt shift in animal welfare taking place at a $35 Million Dollar facility.
Current list of animals in need of rescue
My Critique On The Situation
I could continue, but the topic at hand is our animals are no longer getting the fair ethical treatment and care they were once getting and they still deserve. Out of the 40 dogs currently on the rescue list, up to 60% are cited for kennel and shelter related behaviors. This is important to note since enrichment programs once utilized frequently under previous management are now considered ‘too risky’. Kennel stress, fearfulness, even reactivity to dogs in other cells is something that is resolved or mitigated through enrichment courses such as playgroups (bit.ly/3dr5PUB) and adhering to the strategic plan requiring all dogs to exit their kennels at least once per day (bit.ly/37vKpSs).
This article is not about saving every animal, it’s about giving every animal in our community the opportunity for growth. Amidst the continuing impact of the pandemic we can all agree we have a large amount of important items on the itinerary for our county and our nation. But as a wise man once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” and I still believe that holds true to this day. Orange County was one of the leading counties in Southern California to put safety measures in place when COVID19 entered the State of California. And with California also trying to implement a more progressive and compassionate level of animal welfare through legislative measures (bit.ly/3sbVaBa); it should be our responsibility here in Orange County to take that same advanced approach to a better animal welfare system.
About Me:
My name is Chris Hawkes, I was born and raised in Orange County. When my dog past away 10 years ago I began to foster at-risk dogs and help out at Orange County shelters. While my current career is not in animal welfare, dogs have become my life and advocating for them is my mission. I have an inherit passion for animals, specifically ‘Mans Best Friend’. I have been an active volunteer, dog handler, and foster caretaker with non-profit rescues and open-intake shelters since 2010. During this time I have been able to utilize my creative talents to aid in their live outcomes. In addition, the courses and workshops I have attended with Dogs Playing for Life, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement Scholastic Program, ASPCApro.org Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA), and mentoring with dog trainers and behaviorists have allowed me to understand dogs and help them achieve the full potential they deserve. As someone with an established career as an Operations Director for a national corporation, my job is to find problems and solve them. Right now we have a growing problem at OC Animal Care, and until there is accountability with OC Board of Supervisors and OC Communty Resources; our Orange County animals will continue to suffer: bit.ly/3sbdMRX
