South County Animal Shelter Coalition

South County Animal Shelter Coalition
Update - March, 2012 You can join us by e-mailing your name, e-mail address and city to BlandMJ@AOL.com or just read the South County Animal Shelter Coalition Updates on the blog at: http://scasc1.blogspot.com/
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RUFF’s Free PET FOOD FOR THE UNEMPLOYED Continues - Free Pet Food for unemployed people on the second Saturday of every month from 10 am to 11 am at the Alicia Pet Care Center at 25800 Jeronimo Rd. #100, Mission Viejo. Also, the South County Outreach Food Pantry at 26776 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest, is open Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and has free pet food. Ann Breuer who started the Pet Food Giveaway program, with her husband Jim Gardner, is also part of a volunteer group making coats for pets in animal shelters. Both Pet Food programs are sponsored by RUFF (Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends www.ruffrescue.org). You can contact Anne Breuer at annebreuer@yahoo.com Donations from local food banks and pet food manufacturers have dried up in the last month or two so donations of pet food are needed again. Please call 949-722-1511 for drop off location and information.

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WHAT'S NOW FOR SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER COALITION
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TAKE ACTION to Stop the CA Governor from Killing Pets To Save Money
The “Hayden Law” requires shelters to wait at least four to six days before killing an animal, rather than the 72-hour minimum that prevailed prior to 1999. It also requires California shelters to schedule their operating hours to allow working people to visit during weekends and evenings so that they can find their missing companion animals or adopt an animal that would otherwise be put to death, and mandates that animals be provided needed veterinary care. Dog Park is circulating an online petition to accompany the video, calling on Gov. Brown “not to kill thousands of innocent shelter animals” to solve the state’s budget woes: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protect-shelter-animals/ These animals have nothing to do with California’s budget shortfall and it is wrong to kill them to solve our fiscal problems.
Another Hayden Law petition at: http://scapetitions.org/dont-repeal-hayden-petition

Orange County residents may also contact their Orange County Representative State Assembly member to voice your opinion on repeal or suspension of Hayden Law, as he is on the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4. Details in attachment.
Assembly Member Donald Wagner (R-Irvine),
Sacramento -fax: (916) 319-2170
Orange County - (949) 863-7070 fax: 863-9337 3 Park Plaza, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92614
To request a meeting: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/70/

**** On March 6, 2012, at the Laguna Beach City Council Meeting, Laguna Beach Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson is going to introduce an ordinance to ban pet shops that sell cruel puppy mill animals in Laguna Beach. Irvine, Dana Point, Glendale, West Hollywood, South Lake Tahoe and many others have all recently passed such ordinances. . The council meeting starts at 6pm, Please mark your calendar and be there? If you need additional information, contact Judy Moncuso at judie@socialcompassion.org
Attend this meeting, if you can, to give your support.  The Council Meeting starts at 6:00 pm and City Hall is located at 505 Forest Ave. in Laguna Beach.  For more information (949) 497-3311


Updated Reports on the Orange County Animal Shelter - Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, RSM and San Juan Capistrano are the only Cities in So. Orange County that still contract with this 70 year old Animal Shelter with the 53% Kill Rate.
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New Reports including 2011 Statistics for the Orange County Animal Shelter and for residents in the cities that still contract with this 70 year old high kill shelter.
Fewer Animals Killed at OC animal shelter in 2011 http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fewer-338291-killed-shelter.html?pic=1
Total euthanasia rate of 53%. Fewer were killed in 2011 because fewer were impounded at the County Animal Shelter in 2011. January 31, 2012 Teri Sfzora
Three out of four cats still don't leave shelter alive http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/02/16/three-out-of-four-cats-still-dont-leave-shelter-alive/148403/ Teri Sforza OC Watchdog
Kill Rate for Cats at the OC Animal Shelter in 2011 was 74% and only 17% adopted, down from 19% in 2010
Euthanasia Rate Stuck at Nearly 50% at O.C. Animal Care http://ranchosantamargarita.patch.com/articles/shelter-euthanizes-fewer-animals-in-2011 County Shelter admits killing animal for space in this story.

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WHAT'S NEXT FOR SOUTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER COALITION
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Please take a moment to read the statistics on Pet Licensing for your city: http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Info%20OC/Departments%20&%20Agencies/OC%20Animal%20Care/Shelter%20 Statistics scroll all the way down to License Compliance by City.  Villa Park has an estimated licensing compliance of 80%. For Anaheim and Fullerton, the rate is 38%. When people license their dogs, there is a greatly increased chance of a lost dog being returned to it's owner. If people license their dog, chances are they will also neuter it because the neutering cost is recovered by the reduced licensing fee for fixed dogs. Laguna Hills had a 58.66% license compliance rate at the end of 2011 and the city paid the Orange County Shelter extra for additional canvassing to get people comply.  There are lots of justifications that people have for not licensing their dog. However, it causes others to pay more than their share to cover the cost of the services that the shelter provides. And having no license costs animals a lot too - It costs them their lives. Valerie Bromberg

More Progress on stopping Puppy Mills -

CmD I Heart Puppy Store to Close -  http://www.coronadelmartoday.com/26363/home/cdm-i-heart-puppies-store-to-close/

Dana Point, CA. Bans Pet Retail Sales. http://network.bestfriends.org/initiatives/puppymills/18058/news.aspx

Glendale, Irvine and West Hollywood are 3 other cities in CA. that have the same ban.
“We still have too many dogs and cats ending up at shelters,” says Dana Point Mayor Lara Anderson. “We need to get away from this mindset that pets are disposable. It’s just shocking to me how many people unload their pets at the shelter right before Christmas. They’re not a toy you take off a shelf and bring home, play with and then throw away when you’re done. This is a living being. The idea that they’re somehow merchandise is part of the problem.”

*** You can sign the ASPCA Pledge against shopping at pet stores who sell puppies at - http://www.nopetstorepuppies.com/ - "If a pet store sells puppies I won't buy anything there." Take the pledge. Thank you to Rose for this information.

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FEATURES OF THE MONTH AND SPECIAL THANK YOUs
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New OC Animal Care Center Update on the proposed New County Animal Shelter From County Supervisor Pat Bates' Fifth District Report on 2/17/2012  and Response below from a  Laguna Hills Citizen and Attorney, Tom Epperson, who has been following the situation with the County Animal Shelter for years

Animal Care Center Update From County Supervisor Pat Bates' Fifth District Report
The Board of Supervisors continues to make progress on the development of a new Animal Shelter. On January 24, the Board approved an Exchange Agreement with the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) for a land-swap of ten-acre parcels at the former MCAS Tustin Base. Five acres of the parcel to be received by the County, following release by the Department of Navy, has been designated as the site for a new Animal Care Center, which will replace the existing Animal Shelter currently in the City of Orange.
The planned Tustin site is centrally located in the County and easily accessible to all. OC Parks has been tasked with developing an 84-acre park directly across from the site, which will include one of the landmark blimp hangars. Conceptual plans have already been completed for the new Animal Care Center.

The County is continuing to work with the City of Tustin and SOCCCD to revise the documentation required by the Department of Navy as part of the Re-Use Process. It is hoped that a decision from the Department of Navy regarding conveyance can be obtained in late 2012 or early 2013. Once the Department of Navy issues the decision on conveyance, construction plans will be developed and ground will be broken on the new site. Timing on construction will depend upon the actions of the Department of Navy and any requirements set forth in that action.

Previous cost estimates for the new Animal Care Center ranged from approximately $25 million to $30 million. Initial funding already has been set aside by the Board. Additionally, preliminary discussions have been initiated with an advisory group of city managers from the cities that contract with OC Animal Care regarding the balance required to complete the project, with more formal discussions on a funding agreement being initiated in the fall. Staff is also looking at other ideas for fundraising, including a non-profit fundraising effort.
Development of a new Animal Care Center is a high priority for the County and our partner contract cities. To that end, I will continue to provide updates on the progress as we move forward.

Response to County Supervisor Pat Bates New OC Animal Care Center Update from Laguna Hills Citizen and Attorney Tom Epperson who has been following the situation with the County Animal Shelter for years and working for alternatives to create a better overall situation for that shelter as well as a new one.
This is probably the best summary I’ve seen on the fate/timing of a new animal shelter. There are however, several flies in the ointment:

The plan and timetable for the Tustin Marine Base north hangar and park, which is required for Tustin and the South Orange County Community College District to give up their 5 acres for the shelter, is still, to my knowledge, not solidified.  At the rate the federal government, cities and county move I don’t think there’s a chance of the Navy approving the plan and turning over the site in 2012 and 2013 is very optimistic. Thus, a new shelter probably can’t be expected, at best, before 2015/2016.

The comment that “conceptual plans” are completed, as I understand it, means nothing more than a new shelter will be built on 5 acres. There are no specifications, no drawings, preliminary or otherwise and no architect, HSUS, or a consultant which will probably be used, has been retained.

The idea of “partnering with our contract cities” would appear to leave the fate of Laguna Hills animals in the hands of such animal “experts” as Assistant City Manager Don White and City Manager Bruce Channing. I believe, several years ago, someone from Laguna Hills proposed that a citizen/city group be formed to infuse information into the shelter planning/selection process. A motion for such, made by council member Carruth, was defeated 4-1.

Replacement of the county shelter in Orange is the WRONG answer. The Orange shelter should be retained/restructured/re-designated to augment needs within the county. Dr. Gardner’s studies showed conclusively that large shelters, new or otherwise, continued to have higher kill rates and poorer volunteer participation than smaller more regionally local shelters.

While I applaud Supervisor Bates for her sharing the situation regarding a new shelter, I believe there is a small chance of seeing any real progress for years to come. In the mean time, tens of thousands of Orange County animals will continue to be needlessly killed.
Tom Epperson

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HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR PET OWNERS
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** Flea Borne Typhus Alert from the Orange County Vector Control District - For Further Information visit www.ocvcd.org (714) 971-2421 and www.ochealthinfo.com (714) 834-8180 Flu like symptoms plus rash on chect, back, arms and/or legs.

How to Ease Your Dog's Separation Anxiety - From the ASPCA Does your dog get stressed or depressed when you leave, then get into all sorts of trouble while you're gone?

Tips to find the perfect pet sitter- http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/10-tips-to-find-the-perfect-pet-sitter-1877335/http://www.ospcablog.ca/?p=173  
ASPCA tip on boarding facilities - http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-sitters-and-boarders.aspx

Be alert and walk with a walking stick to protect your dog from Coyote Attacks and continue so protect your pets at all times when they are outside.

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PET LOST AND FOUND E-MAIL NOTICES FROM SCASC
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Laguna Hills Citizens who sign up with SCASC at BlandMJ@AOL.com help protect their pets through our Free Lost and Found Pet e-mails to everyone on the Laguna Hills e-mail list. If you lose or find a pet e-mail us a description of the pet, when and where it was lost or found, and your name, phone # and/or e-mail address for contact information. The anxiety you feel when you lose or find a pet in Laguna Hills is because it is not tolerable to turn a defenseless pet over to the Orange County Shelter with its high kill rate. While most other So. County Cities have or share safe City Shelters, the Laguna Hills City Council has chosen to retain the worst animal control services available - the 70 year old County Shelter 20 miles away that is consistently overcrowded, and has a consistently high kill rate. These are the same services we had before we became a City 20 years ago. Please remember to provide ID for your pets, a microchip and a tag on your pet's collar for rapid identification and easy return of your pet to you. 
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR CA. PETS & PET OWNERS
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Check the Humane Society's Humane Scorecard to see if your legislators voted in support of animal protections in 2011. http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2012/01/hot-off-the-press-112th-congress-midterm-humane-scorecard.html

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JUST FOR FUN
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From Tom Epperson - Two dogs in a restaurant (Hilarious) really really funny http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125

The best doctor in the world is the veterinarian. He can't ask his patients what is the matter -
he's just got to know. - Will Rogers

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SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR
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Tuesday March 6, at the Laguna Beach City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.  Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson is going to introduce an ordinance to ban pet shops that sell cruel puppy mill animals in Laguna Beach. Go if you can and show support! (949) 497-3311 for more information if you want to attend and lend your support. 

Sunday, April 8,  RUFF's Annual Easter Champaign Brunch at Tovoli Too in Laguna Beach. 11:00 to 2:00 pm Adults $40, Children under 12: $15. Sociable Pets are also invited. Reservations at 949-494-6044 (Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends www.ruffrescue.org/ )
Sunday, April 29 WOOFSTOCK will be coming again to South Shores Church. This is another Ashby Group Production that Nadine has so generously done annually for several years to benefit local animal shelters and rescue groups. It is always exciting!

All Winter - Presents for Paws Drive - Desperate Paws of Orange County is running a collection drive for lightly used blankets and dog and cat toys for its annual and will distribute items to dogs and cats at area animal shelters - please go to http://www.ocregister.com/articles/blankets-327714-toys-paws.html for drop off sites all over Orange County.

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LISTENING TO SCASC SUPPORTERS
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News Report on the recent Animal Kinship Fund Raiser
Fundraiser supports local animal rescue organizations http://www.ocregister.com/news/animal-342100-event-attended.html
LAGUNA BEACH – Animal rights supporters attended the "Do It for Love" event, hosted by the Animal Kinship society.  See story and photos online. 

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IMPORTANT REMINDERS
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*** Operation Blankets of Love needs your help to help shelter animals at http://www.operationblanketsoflove.com/ provides recycled and new pet-related items to comfort stray, sick, neglected and abused homeless animals in shelters, rescues and foster homes. They also partner with other organizations to provide relief and comfort to animals displaced or endangered by catastrophe.

The Blankets of Love Collection Centers in So. Orange County are: Mission Viejo - Neighborhood Car Care, 23761 Via Fabricante, # A, 949-707-5991 and Pet Supply Warehouse 23854 Via Fabricante, # E1, 959-951-1284; Laguna Woods - Nifty after Fifty, 24258 El Toro Rd., 949-900-0500; Laguna Hills - The UPS Store 24881 Alicia Parkway Ste. E (behind Carl's Jr.), 949-855-8544; Tustin - 14402 Chambers Rd., 714-368-7077.

Due to the very bad economic conditions there are many Farm Animals in need of adoption in Devore, (by San Bernardino) CA. including horses, game fowl, goats - pygmies and standard, chickens, donkeys, mules, ponies and rabbits. Contact: Horse_Rescue_and_Sanctuary@yahoogroups.com to learn more about these animals if you live where you can have a farm animal and want to give any of them a good home for the rest of their lives.

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PETS & PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
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"Bunnies Need Money" Take a moment to check it out on IndieGoGo and also share it with your friends. All the tools are there. Get perks, make a contribution, or simply follow updates. If enough of us get behind it, we can make 'Bunnies Need Money' happen. http://www.indiegogo.com/Bunnies-Need-Money?a=440899&i=emal From Susan Haldeman Creative and Business Consultant 949-735-7202 and Marilyn Mansdorf - Laguna Hills author of Bunny's Busy Day.

Don't forget to track Samantha Gowen OC Register Staff Writer and Pet Reporter online at her new address - ocregister.com/pets

Also look for OC Register Reporter Erika Ritchie who writes a lot of pet and wildlife stories.

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HOW TO CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS
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Laguna Hills City Council e-mail - ccouncil@di.laguna-hills.ca.us for all City Council Members
City web site - www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone - 949-707-2610 fax 949-707- 2614

Orange County Supervisors:

Pat Bates: Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, the community of Newport Coast, & the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Wagon Wheel PatBates@ocgov.com

Shawn Nelson: Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placenta Audra.Adams@ocgov.com

John Moorlach: Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton. district2@ocgov.com

Janet  Nguyen: Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminister janet.nguyen@ocgov.com

Bill Campbell: Anaheim, Brea, Irvine, Orange, Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda. Bill.Campbell@ocgov.com