On August 18, 2018, OC Animal Care participated in Clear the Shelters, a nationwide pet drive in partnership with NBC, Telemundo and other shelters across the country. Adoptions were $20 for all adoptions.

Doors opened at 10:00 am on Saturday, after a quick introduction and talk with OC Animal Care’s new director, Mike Kaviani. Families and couple came through the doors excited to meet all the animals and hoping to find their new best friends.

On the walk out to the dog kennels, people could pick up some leashes, collars, sweaters or shirts for their family members. Volunteers walked available dogs around the area to help bring some attention to them. VCA Animal Hospital also attended giving out some totes, hats, pens, and information about their facility and pet health. Staff members were happy to talk and recommend specific pets to people and excited to say good-bye to the ones who were going home.

Adopters continued to come in throughout the day. Some were visiting the shelter for the first time, some came to stop by and check out the event, and some were able to go home with a new pet! Of the adoptions that happened during the day, two bonded pairs went home, a pair of chickens and a pair of Pomeranians. Before leaving, some adopters stopped to share what their roles in the community are. These new pet owners ranged from nurses, EMTs, business owners, Celtics fans, college students, a family band, a family who backpacks together, Uber drivers, teachers, and so much more.

As visitors and adopters alike left, they had the opportunity to take a moment and decorate a rock to include in OC Animal Care’s memory garden in dedication to Valerie and all lost pets. For those who were interested, there were Valerie’s Pledge slips that could be signed so that they could be notified of any future ways they can help or to be contacted for a future Matchmaking Team program. Staff greeted people at the table and were there to provide answers and support for those who asked.

When visits and doors finally closed, there was 120 adopted animals from OC Animal Care. Dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, turtles, and an iguana found new homes. Staff and volunteers were happy to see so many wagging tails and paws going through the front door.
 

For those that I haven't met yet (and let's be honest, that's almost all of you since I haven't even officially started yet!), my name is Mike Kaviani, and as of tomorrow, August 17, I am the new Director of OC Animal Care. 

Like so many of you, when I learned of the tragic death of the dog Valerie, and the horrifying reports of abuse, I felt sickened. In the subsequent days, I've felt anger and frustration. Now that we've learned the abuse was not true, it feels like a roller coaster of reactions. In the wake of this event, I want to channel these emotions into something productive, which is a process I've seen many in our animal-loving community go through as I've read the heartfelt messages across social media. I want us to still honor Valerie's memory.

As an outsider to this community up until this point (although I'd like to think I'm already one of you since I was born and raised in Irvine), I believe I've been able to view these events, and the various responses to it, through a unique lens. What I've observed as I've spoken with staff, members of the rescue community, and concerned citizens is that there is an incredibly consistent common goal. A common goal to find a way to create a safer community for our four-legged residents, and a goal to ensure Valerie's death is not in vain. This common goal, this ability to come together as people in the face of a false allegation or even alleged tragedy is what I believe to be a shining example of the best we as humans beings have to offer our world. 

The adage about how the darkest times come before the dawn may be familiar to many of you, and, dare I say may be a bit corny, but I can't think of many darker events than what was alleged to have happened to our sweet Valerie. While we are relieved that Valerie was spared this abuse, the possibility of any animal enduring this is unacceptable. I can also confidently say that we are in fact at the dawning of a new day for OC Animal Care. While it is a challenge to begin my tenure here faced with such challenging circumstances, I feel a tremendous sense of honor, and find it a true privilege, to be in a position to work with you all and the Orange County Board of Supervisors to bring this community's common goal to light. 

I pledge to you that Valerie's death will not be in vain. This last Tuesday the County’s Board of Supervisors put the wheels in motion by calling for a regional Do-Not Adopt list to protect animals across jurisdictional borders.  They also directed me to implement my knowledge of best practices nationwide to ensure that our local shelter operations is a leader in forward-facing, animal safety practices.  I pledge that we will continue to develop our progressive, thoughtful, compassionate, and thorough adoption process so that the homeless pets of OC find loving, well-matched forever homes, and we need you to pledge to help us achieve this.  We will do this in honor of Valerie's memory. Starting today, we will begin gathering pledges from anyone who wishes to become a member of our upcoming volunteer Matchmaking Team. Once the program is established, we will contact everyone who has submitted a pledge so that we can get this team in action to work alongside staff to offer comprehensive adoption counseling for every single adoption we do. 

While we realistically cannot have this team in place in time for this Saturday's Clear the Shelter event, this will be my second physical day at the shelter, and what better way to spend it than by working firsthand with our staff and volunteers that day! We will be implementing enhanced adoption counseling to ensure we're demonstrating a beginning version of the robust adoption program we will create together as we make a pledge for Valerie. 

I also pledge to hear your ideas. Please be patient with me as I begin this journey, but please also reach out to me if you have ideas! I'd love to meet with you, and we'd love to show you around the shelter and discuss all the ways we can work together to make Orange County the greatest community for animals and the people that love them, and to honor Valerie's life in every life we save from here on out. 

Mike Kaviani

Director, OC Animal Care

Mike.Kaviani@occr.ocgov.com

https://www.ocgov.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=78588

July’s Volunteer of the Month is Ryan N! Ryan has been with us for one year and has been a wonderful addition to our cat team. Staff really appreciates that he is constantly in touch about our shelter kitties and truly cares for each one. He even started making videos to help them find their forever homes (check out the link below)! Thank you for going above and beyond to help our cats and for being part of our team!

On August 11, OC Animal Care partnered with NBC4 and Telemundo 52 for a huge Pre Clear the Shelters event! The event took place at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach, and the turnout was tremendous. A total of 15 dogs and 7 cats were adopted into loving homes. Special thanks to all staff and volunteers who came out and helped make this day so successful!

OC Animal Care staff is aware of a situation with a dog, “Valerie,” recently adopted from our shelter. Our staff and volunteers are deeply saddened to learn of her passing and the alleged circumstances involving her death. Valerie was with us for three months and was loved by many. Although this incident occurred outside of our jurisdiction and we are not the investigating agency, we are working with the local authorities in Los Angeles regarding this case. OC Animal Care is providing them all the information we have about Valerie and will continue to assist in their ongoing investigation. The OC Animal Care shelter does not discriminate against those wishing to adopt unless they are suspected of or have been convicted of animal offenses. We utilize information about investigations from our own animal control as well as other law enforcement agencies to make this determination. We take the safety of all animals in our care seriously and, as a result of the circumstances surrounding Valerie’s death, the individual who adopted Valerie is now ineligible for future adoptions at our shelter. If you have any additional information regarding this case, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department Animal Cruelty Task Force at 213-486-0450.

Small animals are being accepted at:
1. Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group – Orange County (VMSG – OC) – 24 hour facility
31896 Plaza Dr Ste C1, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-400-5091

2. OC Animal Care
1630 Victory Road Tustin, CA 92782 
714-935-6848 (8 am to 5 pm) and 714-259-1122 (after hours)

Large Animals are being accepted at:

1. Mission Trails Stables
28432 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

2. Rancho Sierra Vista 
31441 Avenida de la Vista, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

3. Anaheim Equestrian Center / Rancho Del Rio
1370 S Sanderson Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
714-535-3510 or 714-906-5522 (after hours)

4. Anaheim Hills Saddle Club
6352 E Nohl Ranch Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807
714-392-7738 or 714-397-2930

5. Phillip Schwartz (Private Citizen)
6431 Lago Grande Bonsall
949-300-8619 ** Easy trailer access into property

OC Animal Care hosted its 3rd Annual Shelter Dogs Birthday celebration on August 1st! Staff, volunteers and members of the community joined in the fun and sang happy birthday to our shelter dogs. Volunteers also made delicious doggie safe cakes for our four legged friends. It was truly an event to remember! CLICK HERE to watch the video!

Due to an abundance of dogs, cats and other animals, OC Animal Care will immediately begin waiving fees for animals available for adoption longer than seven days. The waiver includes all regular adoption fees with the exception of a $27 charge for rabies licensing. The waiver will remain in effect through August 4 or until OC Animal Care capacity level dips below 60 percent. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Fee Waiver Resolution in 2016, which calls to forego regular adoption costs when shelter capacity reaches above 80 percent. The resolution also applies when the shelter is expecting to see a sharp increase in numbers, such as the increase seen during the Fourth of July holiday. OC Animal Care has been having a busy kitten season as well and has seen an increase in overall intake numbers since moving into its new facility in Tustin. Numbers have hovered around an 80 percent capacity and have now reached over 90 percent. OC Animal Care is also encouraging animal lovers to temporarily foster a shelter pet. OC Animal Care has successfully fostered over 3500 animals and this is a great opportunity to save lives and give a little personal time and attention to these animals before they make their adoption debut!

There is an extreme heat warning in Orange County until Saturday, July 7th at 9 pm. Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees and it's important for pet owners to be aware of how to keep your pet safe from the heat!Click the links below for hot weather tips on how to keep your pet safe and healthy as well as what to do if you see any signs of heat stroke with them!Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe from the Heat Signs of Heat Stroke and What to Do

Due to an abundance of dogs, cats and other animals, OC Animal Care will begin waiving fees for pets adopted by residents across Orange County. The waiver includes all regular adoption fees with the exception of a $27 charge for rabies licensing and will begin on June 29. The waiver will remain in effect until the capacity at the shelter drops below 60 percent. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Fee Waiver Resolution in 2016, which calls to forego regular adoption costs when shelter capacity reaches above 80 percent. The resolution also applies when the shelter is expecting to see a sharp increase in numbers such as that during the Fourth of July holiday. OC Animal Care has been dealing with a busy kitten season and has seen an increase in overall intake numbers since moving into its new facility in Tustin. Numbers have hovered around an 80 percent capacity and have now reached 93 percent. The shelter has recently been promoting adoptions to help lower the numbers by offering free cat adoptions through the "Cool Cats of Summer" promotion and free pitbull or pitbull mix adoptions through the "Pit Pit Hooray" promotion. OC Animal Care is also encouraging animal lovers to temporarily foster a shelter pet to help ease the load during the Fourth of July holiday. The days surrounding this holiday have historically been the busiest days for OC Animal Care, with intake numbers more than doubling due to escaped and lost, frightened pets. To protect pets who may get lost, OC Animal Care is offering free pet tags every Saturday in June, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin 92782. "It’s important that pet owners know that a tag or microchip can be their pet’s ticket home" said OC Animal Care Interim Director Cymantha Atkinson.