Countywide : Shelter Has Lots of Lost, Scared Dogs

Business is up at the Orange County Animal Shelter in Orange this week because of an influx of dogs that became runaways after the recent wet and windy weather.

“We are definitely getting more dogs right now due to the storms,” said Marie Hewett-Curtner, public education coordinator at the shelter. “Many people just have back-yard dogs, and when the fence blows down, they run away, and then they have no idea how to get back home.”

“Our shelter is hustling and bustling right now,” Hewett-Curtner added. “We have all kinds of frightened animals who ran away during the storms.”

Officials at the shelter said that as of Wednesday morning, the number of impounded dogs is running 25% above average. The shelter usually holds about 250 dogs at any given time, but this week the number is edging closer to 300.

Officials urged owners of lost pets to check all the shelters in the region for lost animals, not just the ones nearest to their homes.

“You have to realize that animals know nothing about boundaries and city limits, so if you do lose a pet please check all the shelters,” Hewett-Curtner said.

At least eight Orange County municipalities maintain their own animal shelters, including the cities of Seal Beach and Irvine.

Officials said the number of cats taken into the shelter remains steady with about 150 occupying berths there.

Animals brought to the shelter without identification are kept at the facility for a minimum of three business days. Then, provided they are in good health and have a good disposition, they are placed up for adoption.

The Orange County Animal Shelter does euthanize animals that are not adopted.

To encourage spaying or neutering of pets, the shelter refunds $10 from cat adoptions and $25 from dog adoptions if the new owner presents proof of having the new pet sterilized. And new cat owners can receive a break on the price of the procedure.

An Orange veterinarian is offering free spaying and neutering of cats adopted from the Orange County Animal Shelter.

“As a vet it’s part of my responsibility,” said Victoria Valdez, owner of the American Cat Hospital in Orange. “The shelter is overrun with unwanted animals. It’s part of my job to educate people and show them what is involved with pet ownership.”

The Orange County Animal Shelter is at 561 The City Drive South in Orange.

For more information about its activities, call (714) 935-7419. The American Cat Hospital is across the street from the shelter at 9 City Blvd. in The City Shopping Center. Appointments for the free procedure can be made by calling (714) 634-8988.