Held 8AM-10AM the second Saturday of every month. All pet owners in need are welcome!

*Dog, Cat, Rabbit, and Bird food while supplies last.*

See flyer HERE for more details.

It’s ssssummertime which means we might see more of our slithery friends! #LetsPaws and check out some safety tips when it comes to snakes!

The warmer seasons tend to bring out a variety of creatures, including snakes! Follow the tips below to keep our slithery friends away this summer!

1. COVER ALL HOLES LEADING TO HOUSES AND GARAGES

Snakes love slipping into dark hiding spots inside garages, underneath houses, etc. Keep doors closed and install screens on doors/windows to keep these unwanted guests out.

2. MAINTAIN A TIDY YARD

 Keep a well-maintained garden, lawn, and shed. Ensure wood/rock piles are neatly stacked and dispose of lawn clippings to prevent snakes and rodents from seeking shelter in these areas.

3. DISPOSE OF FOOD SCRAPS

 Use covered bins for trash and refrain from leaving pet food outside to discourage rats and mice—and, therefore, snakes!

Did you know?

Per the USDA Forest Service, snakes are cold-blooded and must move to a suitable surrounding environment to regulate their body temperature. They can’t survive extreme summer heat for more than 10-20 minutes and are rarely found in the open.

With the 4th of July, vacations, and more frequent house guests, summer is a time when we see an increase in lost pets. #LetsPaws and check out some tips if you have found a pet, or if you have lost your own pet.

OC Animal Care, in association with NBC4 and Telemundo 52, is so excited to be participating in this year’s Clear the Shelters campaign with shelters all across the country! Now through August 31st, all dog adoption fees have been waived, and cats/kittens have a special 2-for-one adoption fee*! In addition to reduced fees, keep an eye out for details on our TWO Pack Walk meet and greets planned for this month, and information about a fun adoption event we will be attending!

Interested in adopting a new four-legged friend? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! Walk-up appointments will be accommodated as staffing allows.

Can’t adopt but want to help? Our Amazon Wishlist is a great way to donate and is always full of things our animals need! The link to our wishlist can be found here: amzn.to/3vzpWYV

*Both cats/kittens must be adopted during the same visit. Waived adoption fees for dogs do not include the licensing fee, a leash, collar, carrier, or puppies six months of age or younger.

July’s Volunteer of the Month: Carrie Franklin!

OC Animal Care is very happy to present our July Volunteer of the Month, Carrie Franklin! Carrie is a trusted and tireless kitten foster mom. She meets any need…bottles, guardian foster (emergency, overnight fostering), socialization? Carrie has us covered. In addition to being an awesome foster, Carrie jumped right in when we needed help at our Petco Cattery. In fact, Carrie has often jumped in just to help out where she is needed. Her smiling face and her “We got this” attitude make Carrie an invaluable Volunteer and we are so lucky to have her! Congratulations Carrie!

Interested in volunteering for OC Animal Care? There are a number of things we always need help with each month! For more information, email our Volunteer Coordinator, Dawn, at Dawn.Maestas@occr.ocgov.com!

OC Animal Care Promotes Importance of Pet Licensing Ahead of National Lost Pet Prevention Month

TUSTIN, Calif. (June 9, 2022) – As National Lost Pet Prevention Month approaches this July, OC Animal Care is raising awareness of responsible pet ownership and encouraging residents to license their pets.

“Our shelters are full of lost pets looking to find their way home,” said Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “Pet licensing makes that connection easy for the family and their beloved pet.”

Animal shelters typically see an uptick in lost pets going into the summer months, primarily around the Fourth of July. A license tag provides a quick and accurate way of helping furry family members find their way home. Additionally, it is required by law in Orange County for all dogs over the age of four months to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies, which a license tag also provides proof of.

“A pet license shows the community your dog is safe and protected against the threat of rabies," said Vice Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor. “Plus, it's the law. A pet license can be more cost-effective than the fees for not having one. In the event your beloved dog goes missing, a license helps with faster ID'ing and a quicker return home."

Residents owning or having custody of any dog must license the dog within 15 days of acquisition or within 15 days after the license becomes due (exceptions apply to Anaheim residents). Residents must provide proof of California-approved rabies vaccination to obtain a license.

“The chances of pets going missing spikes in the summer when families make travel plans,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “A pet license is a small investment that can save your pet’s life.”

When residents license their pets through OC Animal Care, they will receive a new PetHub License tag which allows pet owners to create a free online profile for their pet. The profile contains information such as the pet’s name, breed, age, medications, allergies, owner’s contact information, and much more. Anyone finding the pet can scan the tag’s QR code and see the pet’s information made public by its owner to help reunite the pet and its owner sooner.

“Our pets are members of our family and pet ownership is shown to improve our health by reducing blood pressure and stress,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “By licensing our pets, we help to ensure their safety and increase the likelihood of a seamless return should they become lost.”

Pets currently licensed with OC Animal Care will also qualify for OC Animal Care's Take Me Home Program. This pet redemption program is offered to pet owners who have had their licensed pets impounded for the first time and requires pet owners to redeem their pet(s) within the first 24 hours. More information on the Take Me Home Program can be found here.

“Being a responsible pet owner shows how much you love your furry family member,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “That commitment starts with licensing your pet and keeping them safe.”

For more information on how to license your pet, visit ocpetinfo.com/license or contact OC Animal Care’s Licensing Department Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (714) 935-6848. Pet owners can also email ACSLicensing@occr.ocgov.com for assistance.

To view this press release in Chinese, Spanish, Korean, or Vietnamese, please see the attached files.

Be Careful, the Ground May Be Hot!

Asphalt can burn your pet’s paws. Make sure to avoid hot surfaces when the weather warms up!

Did you know, if the air temperature is 77 degrees, the asphalt is already 125 degrees? At 125 degrees, skin destruction can occur in just 60 seconds. Always check the asphalt prior to allowing your pet to walk on it. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for theirs!

For more Pet Safety Tips, visit our Let’s Paws page!

June’s Volunteers of the Month: Gini and Emily Moncur!

OC Animal Care is proud to announce that our June Volunteers of the Month are our wonderful Mother/Daughter Team, Gini and Emily Moncur! The Moncurs joined us 3 years ago and are fixtures in our Small Dog Playgroup. They have also volunteered in our Greeter Program and helped out with Special Events. In addition to being half of this Dynamic Duo, Emily is a talented photographer and is regularly called upon to photograph our animals. Both Gini and Emily are passionate animal rescuers and advocates.  We are so lucky to have their years of experience, their many hours of service, and their tender hearts for our shelter animals.

Interested in volunteering for OC Animal Care? We have modified opportunities available such as volunteering at our monthly Pet Food Pantry events or getting a group together to make no-sew kitten blankets. There are a number of things we always need help with each month! For more information, email our Volunteer Coordinator, Dawn, at Dawn.Maestas@occr.ocgov.com!

Have you seen a coyote in your area recently? #LetsPaws and check out some tips in case you encounter a coyote.

Tips to Avoid Coyote Encounters:

• Supervise domestic pets when outdoors, especially during early morning or evening hours.
• Feed your pets indoors.
• Keep your property maintained and free of areas that could serve as a den such as wood piles and thick brush.
• Store trash in covered heavy-duty containers.
• Utilize motion-activated lighting and sprinklers when possible.

Tips if you Encounter a Coyote:

• Make eye contact and be LOUD; yell or use tools to make noise.
• Wave your arms, stomp your feet, and throw small sticks or small stones near the coyote but never at the coyote.
• Use an air horn or whistle to startle the coyote.
• Follow-through and keep hazing until the coyote leaves the area, not just until it gives distance.
• Never haze a coyote when you are with small children or pets. Keep yourself between them and slowly back away. Don’t turn your back on the coyote.

If you would like to report your coyote encounter, click HERE.

To view more helpful Let's Paws safety tips, click HERE.

May’s Volunteer of the Month: Randy Yeary!

Here at OCAC Randy has become our “Go-to guy”. He has taken ownership of the Pet Food Pantry and his organization and staging of this massive event, combined with his trusted leadership the day of, make him invaluable. Organizing tens of thousands of pounds of pet food is no mean feat, and he is also on hand to help out with our student pantry volunteers, stats, and traffic. Randy also volunteers with Support Services and our Dog Team, again jumping in wherever he is needed the most. Laundry, Small Dog Playgroup, Special Events and Dog Walker, he does it all. From all of us here at the shelter, THANK YOU Randy! You make life better for animals AND people!

Interested in volunteering for OC Animal Care? We have modified opportunities available such as volunteering at our monthly Pet Food Pantry events or getting a group together to make no-sew kitten blankets. There are a number of things we always need help with each month! For more information, email our Volunteer Coordinator, Dawn, at Dawn.Maestas@occr.ocgov.com!