Select a language:
Orange County Government Logo -- Home
OC Animal Care Logo -- Home
Search

Managed Intake

MANAGED INTAKE OF FOUND ANIMALS

OC Animal Care prioritizes the health and welfare of people and pets in the community, while aiming to maximize the use of available resources to help the animals and people most in need. OC Animal Care accepts dogs who are stray at large under local leash laws, and both dogs and cats who are sick, injured, underaged, have been involved in a bite to a human, or have experienced abuse or neglect. However, it is generally a best practice to leave healthy cats where they are so that they may return to their owner or caretaker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At this time, we ask that healthy cats be left where they are to maximize their chance of being reunited with their owner or caretaker. Residents are encouraged to inquire with neighbors to see if anyone recognizes the cat or knows the owner. Many neighbors are able to work together to reduce concerns associated with outdoor cats. Cats are allowed to be free-roaming animals.

If the kitten is cold, thin, vocalizing, injured, or critically sick, please call OC Animal Care’s Field Services Department at 714-935-6848. 

If the kitten appears warm, clean, and plump, don’t “kit-nap” by moving the kittens just yet!  A kitten’s best chance of survival is with its mother. PLEASE LEAVE THE KITTENS WHERE THEY ARE. If you want to help, make sure mom has access to shelter, food, and water. Keep a lookout for mom to return in about 4 to 6 hours. Mom may be off hunting or not want to come around if people are present. 

By waiting before intervening, everyone wins! Here are the reasons why: if the kittens are “kit-napped,” mom will lose the ability to provide essential nutrients and early socialization. Kittens have a better chance at survival when left with mom.

If mom does not return, you may request a Kitten Kit by calling OC Animal Care’s Field Services Department at 714-7935-6848. Caring for kittens until they can eat on their own greatly improves their chance of survival! 

Click here to learn more about our “Wait, Watch, Win” initiative. 

Cats generally go where there are resources to sustain them or suitable places for shelter. By removing potential food sources, like leftover dog or cat food, and keeping trash secured in bins, you can help prevent them from being attracted to your yard. Additionally, overgrown or dense shrubbery, crawlspaces under a house, deck, or shed, or other sheltered areas can be very enticing for cats to hang out in, even if they do have a caretaker or owner in the community. 

If a resident believes a neighbor is excessively feeding outdoor cats and creating an issue for the health and safety of the cats or the community, they can call OC Animal Care’s main line at (714) 935-6848 and follow the prompts for additional information from our Field Services Department.