DANA POINT : Group Saves Strays From Street, Sleep

Just a week ago, the future looked bleak for Honey, an affectionate, older Welsh corgi dog who was found wandering aimlessly at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street.

But after sitting unclaimed in the Orange County Animal Shelter for about seven days, the dog was not put to death as would normally have been the case.

It was returned to the Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point, a group of animal lovers who are dedicated to saving local stray dogs and cats from being destroyed.

The corgi was the first animal returned to ARF under a new agreement between Dana Point city officials and the county, which provides animal control services to the city.

Now, virtually all strays picked up in Dana Point that would otherwise be euthanized will be returned to ARF.

“We really don’t want to see animals picked up from Dana Point and destroyed,” said ARF member Glenda Rosen, who has taken Honey into her home until a foster family can be found for the dog. “With volunteers, we’ll have more control over our animals.”

That’s certainly the case for Honey, who gained her new name because of her coloring and sweet disposition. “She’s living the charmed life,” Rosen said. “She’s been a lovely house guest, I must tell you.”

ARF was officially formed about six months ago, the outgrowth of an advisory committee that submitted a report to the City Council calling for improvements in animal control services.

About 100 people have joined the nonprofit organization. An informational meeting will be held Sept. 15 at the Dana Point Community Center.

“I joined immediately because I’ve always been very fond of cats and dogs and all animals basically,” said Jennifer Palacio. “I always wanted to find a way to match the lost with the found.”

While ARF members say their main goal is to help the city establish a local animal shelter or join forces with a neighboring “life-oriented” shelter, they are satisfied with the new arrangement with the county.

In addition to returning animals that would otherwise be destroyed, county animal control officers are making a greater effort to find owners of licensed strays before taking them to the shelter in Orange, said Sgt. Marie Hulett-Curtner, an agency spokeswoman.

And for owners who have a hard time getting to Orange to pick up their animals, the county will soon start a home-delivery service, she said.

Last year, the county impounded 124 dogs and cats from Dana Point.

“The most important thing for us right now is we would like to have a more localized service,” Assistant City Manager John Donlevy said. “We’re making steps with the county to do that.”

Meanwhile, the city is exploring the possibility of starting a shelter, Donlevy said. The current one-year animal control contract with the county expires June 30.

“The biggest challenge is to find our own shelter,” said Bill Bergh, vice president of ARF. “Dana Point is pretty built out. The land that is left is very, very expensive.”

Another more immediate challenge involves raising funds to pay for medical costs. ARF is working with local veterinarians to make sure that all animals taken in are spayed or neutered and given a rabies shot.

But perhaps the most pressing need is to find foster families for the rescued animals.

“Without the foster families, we are dead,” Rosen said. “And so are the animals.”

For more information about ARF, call Rosen at (714) 240-2899.