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!

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 attached flyer for more details.

*Adoptions are by appointment and provided through sponsored vouchers. 30 vouchers are available and apply to kittens, cats, and rabbits only. Vouchers are limited to one per household and will go live on MAY 6, 2022, AT 10 AM ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. Pet adoptions continue to be available all day after all 30 vouchers are claimed for all animals, including dogs, hamsters, etc. for a fee.

Link for the adoption voucher: https://form.jotform.com/221175118282148 

Did you find a fledgling or a baby bird? #LetsPaws and take a look at what to do!

FIRST, SEE IF THE BABY BIRD HAS VISIBLE INJURIES
(UNABLE TO FLUTTER WINGS, BLEEDING, WEAK, OR ATTACKED BY ANOTHER ANIMAL).
IF IT APPEARS INJURED, CALL OC ANIMAL CARE AT (714) 935-6848.

What is a Nestling?

Nestlings are baby birds unfeathered, or covered in fluffy down. Nestlings will not survive long out of the nest.

What should you do if you find a Nestling?

· If easy to locate and safe to do so, place the nestling back in the nest.

· Observe from a distance for an hour to ensure its parents return.

· Don’t worry! Birds have a poor sense of smell, so handling a young bird will not cause its parents to abandon it.

What is a Fledgling?

Fledglings are feathered juvenile birds typically seen 1-2 days hopping on the ground. Parents are likely still feeding and watching it from a short distance away.

What should you do if you find a Fledgling?

· If in a dangerous or exposed location, gently herd the fledgling to nearby bushes or shelter.

· Observe from a distance for an hour to ensure its parents return.

· Removing a fledgling from the wild is an absolute last resort. Fledglings may appear dainty, but they are tougher than they look!

From 8am-10am at OC Animal Care in Tustin - All pet owners in need welcome!

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

See attached flyer for more details.

With Easter right around the corner, let’s take a look at some Pet Safety Tips for the holiday:

• Resist the Urge to get a pet on impulse. Bunnies, chicks, ducks, and other small animals are adorable, but they quickly grow into adults and require specialized daily care.
• Easter decorations, such as plastic grass, are dangerous to animals if ingested. Play it safe and use tissue paper instead!
• Many types of lilies, including Easter Lilies, are severely toxic to cats and can be fatal if ingested.
• Remember where you hid your plastic and real eggs so your pet doesn’t ingest them!
• Don’t leave your chocolate at paws reach!

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