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Dear Fellow Californian Animal 501(c)3 Rescues, Shelters Volunteers, Networkers, and Animal Lovers. Animals are dear to many of our hearts, many of us care deeply for animal welfare in our State.
We are reaching out to you with urgency and determination in response to the alarming state of animal welfare in our beloved state of California. Our platform, “Animal Rescues For Change,” has been established with a singular goal, to:
In 2023, California’s shelter animal intake exceeded that of Texas by over 120,000 animals. However, the actual number of homeless animals in the state could be much higher. This is because government-funded shelters across California have actively been declining to accept animals from the public, often instructing individuals to leave them where they are found. As a result, the true homeless animal population in California may be hundreds of thousands higher than reported.
Euthanasia rates growth over the past three years averages 4-25 % ( across various areas). The alarming euthanasia rates in some shelters, reaching as high as 32% and even a staggering 57% are deeply concerning. If this trend continues unchecked, we risk undoing all the progress made in animal welfare over the past several decades. It’s disheartening to think that we could regress to the euthanasia rates of the 90s, undoing the hard work and advancements made in saving animal lives.
Californian communities are facing an unprecedented Pets Overpopulation crisis. The influx of stray animals into shelters has dramatically increased, placing immense strain on the system. This surge in unwanted animals, accidental puppy litters stems from overbreeding and overpopulation, forcing shelters to euthanize thousands of healthy, adoptable animals, including puppies and kittens, as a desperate measure, a situation rarely witnessed before Covid. The existing approach to community cats perpetuates the cycle of unaltered cats producing numerous litters, exacerbating the crisis.
Private rescue organizations are inundated with requests to save animals from the streets, shelter euthanasia lists.
Shelter workers Plea to the Local rescue group to Save : QUINN. 2 y.o healthy dog (Quinn was saved, but Rescues are out of resources, and many dogs like Quinn are killed across CA Shelters)
These rescues are facing an overwhelming number of pleas from the public to take in unwanted animals. Meanwhile, many government shelters, grappling with overcrowded facilities, implement ‘managed intakes’ and are turning away animals in need.
Fresno County is asking for the public’s help after the Fresno County Animal Shelter announced on Wednesday that it is currently over capacity.
The animal shelter, operated by Fresno Humane Animal Services (FHAS), due to a surge in animal intakes, space limitations only allow room for sick, injured, aggressive (danger to the public), and orphaned nursing animals. Healthy animals cannot be accepted until further notice.
Quote From Local Newchannel, Fresno
Due to shelters refusing public intakes, a lot of animals are simply abandoned on the streets. At the same time, municipal shelters have terminated crucial affordable spay-neuter support for communities they serve.
Plea for help from San Jose Resident, who was declined by Government funded shelters
Some shelters are resorting to costly measures like transfers transporting dogs to other cities and states to alleviate overcrowding. While these efforts may provide temporary relief, wouldn’t it be more prudent to allocate California taxpayers’ funds towards prevention measures?
Imagine the impact if these funds were directed towards initiatives aimed at curbing animal overbreeding, such as providing free or low-cost spay-neuter services in our communities. By investing in preventive measures, we can address the root cause of overcrowding and reduce the need for costly interventions like transporting animals across state lines.
Additionally, implementing stricter controls on breeders and sellers within our communities would further contribute to reducing the number of animals entering shelters.
Currently, in CA there is no consequence for an individual with no breeding license whose dog has a litter (accidental or planned) and the individual sells these dogs on social media or on the street, in a parking lot. Not only is there a potential for an innocent living being to end up in the wrong hands, there’s a high probability these dogs won’t be fixed or they will be dumped/abandoned further continuing the cycle.
It’s time to prioritize prevention over costly interventions and ensure that California taxpayers’ funds are used effectively to address the root causes of animal overbreeding.
This proactive approach will not only save taxpayer dollars but also promote responsible pet breeding and ownership practices and ultimately will lead to a more humane and sustainable solution to the issue of animal overpopulation.
Let’s invest in a future where shelters are not overwhelmed, and every animal has a chance at a loving home.
Rescued mama with puppies, Stanislaus Animal Shelter, CA
While California bills itself as one of the most progressive states in the nation, its euthanasia rates tell a different story. “We are one of a handful of states that are responsible for most of the killings in the United States” READ Paid Article in Sacramento Bee OR Read our Summary of the Article
Despite cities and counties across the state collectively investing more than $400,000,000 annually in operating our public animal shelters, shelters and rescues are outnumbered by the influx of irresponsibly produced animals, intensifying the crisis daily.
“There are more dogs coming in than out. So our only option is to euthanize them for space.” Read Article
Volunteers across California put together “Rest In Peace” Albums, to remember thousands of healthy, young animals that were Euthanized. This can not be right.
Devore Animal Shelter, Album RIP
The overproduction of animals in our state must be addressed urgently to reverse the disintegrating animal welfare situation before it’s too late. It is obvious that a more centralized State Government approach is long overdue.
It’s time for rescues, shelter volunteers, networkers and the animal loving Community to unite, be proactive and raise our voices to protect animals during this extraordinary crisis.
We need California’s elected officials of all levels TO STOP ACTING LIKE THEY LIVE IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE to us: THEY NEED to hear us and see what is happening in every municipal shelter across the state.
These animals are paying the price for backyard breeders who have no laws that apply to them, no enforcement from Animal Control or consequences. The unwanted litters continue to come and from one county in CA to the next, there are little to no low cost available spay and neuter options. Unwanted animals are dumped, abandoned or surrendered and facing euthanasia.
We have to encourage State Legislators and Local administrations : to lay out more common sense policies and provide enforcements.
By uniting our voices and collaborating with existing animal protection organizations, we aim to advocate for legislation that prioritizes the welfare of animals and allocates necessary resources to effectively address this crisis.
Until fair laws are enacted and state support for spay-neuter programs is secured, the cycle of suffering will persist.
There is no time to waste, because every day that goes by makes the problem worse.. It’s crucial to address the lack of attention from state leadership, push for increasing funding to compensate for past setbacks
The sad part is that Over past decades, California has seen multiple legislative proposals aimed at improving animal welfare. Unfortunately, the majority of these proposals have repeatedly failed, and never become laws because they couldn’t pass through Congress
It’s important that we ensure newly proposed bills succeed in Congress in 2024. We can achieve this by closely monitoring these important changes and advocating for their passage.
Together, we have the power to demand laws and policies that will protect animals across our state.
What’s needed is an approach centered on both animals and communities, rather than catering solely to big-money interests and powerful lobbies. Key components for humane animal population management:
State Funded Spay -neuter availability and affordability throughout the communities is crucial at curbing overpopulation at its root. Increased funding for spay-neuter programs and ensuring access to affordable veterinary services throughout communities.
Laws and regulations around breeding and selling of animals including online animal sales to keep animals safe and from being overbred, and prevent breeders and sellers from conducting business in illegal ways.
Mandatory identification and registration of animals are essential when it comes to traceability, responsible ownership, breeding/selling of animals, including online sales, combating illegal or criminal activities, managing stray animal populations, preventing public health risks, and handling zoonotic disease outbreaks.
We can no longer afford to ignore these issues or become complacent.
Each animal euthanized represents a failure in our system and a loss of potential companionship, love, and joy. We owe it to these animals and to ourselves to do better. It’s time for us to unite and address this crisis as a society, protecting the welfare of animals and ensuring a brighter future for all.
Let’s not allow history to repeat itself—we must act now to preserve the progress we’ve made and strive for a future where euthanasia is a last resort, not a common practice.