Local Animal Activists Demand Change At Orange County Shelter

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Local animal activists are pleading with Orange County leadership to help increase adoptions at the OC Animal Care shelter by killing the shelter's appointment-only adoption system and allowing residents to walk in to view the adoptable animals, Voice of OC reported.

OC resident and six-year volunteer at OC Animal Care Laura Lawther spoke at the shelter's July 27 community outreach committee meeting and said the appointment-only system is killing more animals at the shelter, according to the report.

"Without notice or reasons, these dogs are euthanized due to the overcrowding at the shelter," Lawther said at the meeting.

The appointment-only adoption system was put in place by the shelter when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

“I have personally witnessed the public walking into our lobby to visit our beautiful facility, and instead they are being turned away because they do not have an appointment or they are being requested to choose an animal by standing in line and looking at a computer screen,” she said.

To read more about the battle brewing between Orange County animal activists and the county-run shelter, view the full article on Voice of OC.