Our Mission:

Popular Tags:

ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION CRISIS:

Municipal Shelter Euthanasia Rate In California Is At 3 Year HIGH- 17.9% And Is The Highest In The US In 2023

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The percentage of dogs leaving the shelter alive right now is 60% compared to Pre-COVID

Learn More

QUINN

One Of Thousands Of Young, Healthy Animals Placed On Death Row, Was Saved Last Minute. California's Response To Crisis Is Increasing Euthanasia

LAWMAKERS FAIL TO ADDRESS EUTHANASIA PROBLEMS:

"The Committee Chose To Side With Lobbyists And Kill Bowie's Law Without Transparency, The Same Way Bowie Was Killed Last Year In Secret"

WE MUST STOP ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION CRISIS

"The Only Way To End The Cycle Is To Address The Root Causes. Make Spay And Neuter Services Available Everywhere… Enact And Enforce Breeding Laws."

"First year in Our history we have to Euthanise puppies"

SHELTERS ARE AT DOUBLE CAPACITY

for what they were built to hold. Apple Valley-58%, Bakersfield, LA -32 % of animals do not come out of shelters alive

Social Media platforms have become an open playground for backyard breeders

”No-Kill” OR a struggle with High Volume Pet Euthanasia

Featured Campaigns

Your Voice of Critical, please Sign and Share

Open Letter to the Governor and California Legislature, A State in Crisis

Take Action

Establish a Long Overdue California Spay Neuter Fund!

Take Action

State Budget Request to Establish a CA Spay Neuter Fund

Take Action

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Ghandi

Fellow animal lovers of California!

This Platform is for Californians who hold a deep love for animals and are troubled by the heartbreaking reality of our state having the highest homeless animal population and euthanasia rates in the nation. It’s time for us to rise together and speak up. This Platform is for you to TAKE ACTION: direct our concerns to our elected state leaders, legislators, and decision-makers, and demand long-term solutions to combat this unprecedented crisis.

We are stronger when we unite our voices. Only by standing together can we make a 2024 – A Year of Change for Animals in California.

California public Animal Shelters, are facing overwhelming overcrowding

leading some to stop accepting animals or resorting to increased euthanasia of healthy and adoptable pets. The persistent inflow of animals demands our collective effort to advocate for solutions addressing the root causes of this crisis:

State Spay Neuter Funding

Direct State + Federal Funding to establish affordable Spay-Neuter procedures across the state communities struggling with Animal overpopulation.

Breeders Laws

Lawmakers need to enact enforceable Breeders and Sellers laws to curb the rampant problem of uncontrolled backyard breeding and sales, and provide the necessary resources for enforcement.

Social Media Responsibility

Social media platforms must establish firm barriers to prevent and eliminate massive illegal animal sales disguised as "adoption and rehoming." California needs straightforward state regulations for online animal sales.

Shelter Accountability

Help Municipal Shelters reduce Euthanazia rates, set transparent procedures, ensure humane treatment of animals. Let's ensure the welfare of animals is prioritized and enforced effectively.

Statewide Spay-Neuter Legislation

Enact Statewide Spay-Neuter laws and effective oversight controls. Implement penalties for non-compliance, but also provide resources and support to help pet owners meet their responsibilities.

Statewide Microchipping Mandate

Mandatory Animal Identification and Registration are essential for: responsible ownership, traceability, combating illegal sales, avoiding public health risks, managing stray animals population.

Shop with Purpose — Be the Change!

Browse our collection of stylish, meaningful gear!

Animal Rescuers for Change “merch” isn’t just apparel — it’s a message in motion. Every shirt, tote, or mug helps spread awareness, spark conversations, and remind the world to speak up for the voiceless. Wear your values proudly — because change starts with you!

Browse Merchandise

In Memory of Animals Euthanized in California Shelters

Their profiles are deleted from shelters websites, as if they never existed. Rest in Peace, we remember and love you.

Brownie

Age: 11 months

KILLED: February 2024

At Contra Costa County Animal Services Department

Brownie was surrendered to the shelter along with two other Aussies because their owner had too many animals.

Tori

Age: 10 weeks old

KILLED: February 2024

At Apple Valley Municipal Animal Shelter

Tori was a quiet and kind puppy. Killed within a week.

"animals are legally available for euthanasia on this same date when available for adoption"

Ludwig

Age: Unknown

KILLED: April 2023

At San Jose Animal Care Center

Ludwig was excited to see his volunteer friends and enjoyed receiving back scratches giving hugs and kisses.

Tutu

Age: 6 y.o.

KILLED: March 2024

At Devore Animal Shelter

Tutu was found on thestreets. Sweet, unaltered female, she had a cold:coughing & Sneezing

Buffy

Age: 1y.o.

KILLED: December 2023

At Stanislaus Animal Shelter

Buffy was happy, playful, and sweet, young healthy dog

CJ

Age: 1 y.o.

KILLED: November 2023

At Contra Costa County Animal Services Department

CJ was literally almost perfect – people-friendly, dog-friendly and absolutely adorable! In fact, he was so good with other dogs, shelter volunteers even used him to help timid dogs gain confidence.

Ari

Age: 6-7 y.o.

KILLED: March 2024

At Oakland Animal Services

He was a fantastic boy. LOVED LOVED LOVED people. Shaked with both paws, fetched a tennis ball and learned very quickly how to catch treats mid-air most of the time.

Hera and Himera

Age: 2 y.o.

KILLED: March 2024

At Apple Valley Municipal Animal Shelter

Hera and Himera were killed the same day they became available for rescue. They were fun and friendly and were not given even the whole day!

#A1783182

Age: 2 y.o German Shepherd

KILLED: February 2024

At Riverside Animal Services

Very friendly. She had NO name, she had Rescue, and had noted in her file for rescue. Still was euthanized

Spike

Age: 8 months old

KILLED: February 2024

At Apple Valley Municipal Animal Shelter

Did this baby deserve to die?

“animals are legally available for euthanasia on this same date when available for adoption”

Take Actions - Active Campaigns:

ACT NOW: Fix the Root Causes: Breeder Accountability & Shelter Relief Now
Dear Friends, ACTION NEEDED NOW: Help Us Secure a Bill Author by February 20, 2026 Multiple legislators support this bill — but without a lead author, it cannot move forward. Please Call or Email your legislator today and ask them to author the bill. California’s animal crisis is not slowing down — it is accelerating . And right now, we have a narrow but powerful opportunity to change its course. In the coming days, legislators across the state are finalizing their 2026 prior
Jan 44 min read
ACT NOW: Your Voice Matters: Help Reintroduce Shelter Transparency Bill
Deadline to Secure an Author: February 20 Dear ARFC Supporters, Rescues, Volunteers, and Animal Advocates, We urgently need your help. In the last legislative session (2024–25), Shelter Transparency legislation (AB 631) passed the entire California Assembly unanimously — 72 Assemblymembers voted YES, with zero opposition . Despite this overwhelming support, the bill stalled in the Senate and did not become law. Now, as we work to reintroduce AB 631 for 2026 , we are facing
Jan 42 min read
ACT NOW: California Needs a Spay/Neuter Prevention Fund
Deadline to Introduce Bills: February 20 California’s animal crisis is escalating — and we have a short, critical window to stop it at the source. Across the state, shelters are overflowing, rescues are stretched beyond capacity, and adoptable animals are being euthanized simply because there is nowhere left to put them. This is not a failure of compassion — it is a failure of prevention . Right now, California spends over $460 million every year operating approximately 153
Jan 42 min read
ACT NOW: California's Animals Need Your Voice - Support Bowie's Law (AB 1482)!
Shelters across California are in crisis. They’re overcrowded, underfunded, and euthanizing healthy animals simply because there’s no space. Meanwhile, unregulated backyard breeding continues to flood our communities with more puppies, many of whom end up abandoned. The lack of regulation against backyard breeding directly contributes to overcrowding in California. Despite repeated attempts to pass bills addressing this issue, such as AB702 in 2021-22, AB2425 in 2023-24 press
Mar 2, 20251 min read
All State wide Campaigns
ACT NOW: San Jose's Animal Crisis Is Exploding--Stop Illegal Breeding Now!
The Crisis We Can’t Ignore San José is in the middle of a growing animal welfare crisis — one that is entirely preventable. Every day, unregulated and illegal backyard breeders add to severe overpopulation, overcrowded shelters, and rising euthanasia rates. This is not an accident. It is the direct result of the City’s failure to regulate breeding. The Truth San José’s shelter is now so overwhelmed that it routinely declines accepting found animals from the public . When a mu
Feb 82 min read
ACT NOW: Fix San José - Restore Spay/Neuter & TNR Access Now
Santa Clara County , one of California’s most densely populated regions with 1.86 million residents , is in the midst of an avoidable animal overpopulation crisis . Yet in 2024, San José , the county’s largest city, allocated just $2,400 toward public spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs—out of a $5 billion city budget. To make matters worse, Santa Clara County’s overall $12.5 billion budget offers almost no dedicated funding for public spay/neuter or TNR s
Feb 12 min read
ACT NOW: Create a Community Action Committee for San Jose's Animals in Crisis
San Jose is facing a worsening animal welfare crisis. Shelters are overcrowded, illegal breeding is increasing, spay/neuter access is limited, and small rescues are overwhelmed. Despite thousands of residents speaking out in 2024, the City has not created the Community Action Committee it publicly promised for January 2025. Instead, the City has offered only informal, undocumented conversations—no structure, no transparency, and no follow-through. Without a real committee, m
Dec 7, 20251 min read
ACT NOW: Mandatory Animal Identification and Registration in San Jose
California currently holds the unfortunate distinction of having the Highest homeless animal population and euthanasia rates in the United States. This is not a ranking to be proud of. Most animals entering municipal shelters are strays that were dumped/abandoned. The majority( over 90 %) are Not Neutered and Not Microchipped and it is not possible to locate their origin. Due to the increase in backyard breeding, many “designer” dogs are ending up at shelters as well: such as
Aug 4, 20242 min read
All Local Campaigns
ACT NOW: Open Letter to the Governor and California Legislature, A State in Crisis
Help Us Demand Action on California’s Animal Overpopulation Crisis Thousands of healthy, adoptable animals are being abandoned, turned away, or quietly euthanized in California shelters every week. While rescues scramble to save lives with limited resources, our state — the wealthiest in the country — continues to ignore a growing crisis. This Open Letter is a direct appeal to the Governor and California Legislature, calling for bold action to address the heartbreaking realit
Apr 6, 20254 min read
ACT NOW: Establish a Long Overdue California Spay Neuter Fund!
California’s pet overpopulation crisis is at a breaking point. With the highest municipal shelter euthanasia rate with an average of 17% over three years—twice the national rate and highest homeless animal population in the U.S. Overwhelmed shelters are forced to euthanize healthy, adoptable animals for space. Many can no longer accept found animals, leaving pets to survive on the streets. It’s clear: prevention, not reactive measures, is essential.
Dec 1, 20246 min read
All Petitions
ACT NOW: Support Shelter Transparency Bill AB 631
Because Accountability Shouldn’t Be Optional California is in the middle of an animal sheltering crisis. Shelters are overwhelmed, animals are being turned away, and communities are left in the dark. Shockingly, there is no legal requirement for publicly funded shelters to report even basic information about the animals in their care —including how many are taken in, adopted, returned to their families, or die in the system. The Shelter Transparency Bill aims to change that
Mar 2, 20252 min read
ACT NOW: San José: Rebuild Spay-Neuter / TNR Access For Public
Santa Clara County—one of California’s most populous regions with 1.86 million residents—is facing an avoidable animal overpopulation crisis. Yet San José, the largest city in the county, spent just $2,400 on public spay/neuter in 2024. That’s out of a $5 billion city budget—while Santa Clara County’s overall budget totals $12.5 billion, the allocations for public Spay-Neuter and Trap-Neuter Release (TNR) support are close to non-existent either. San José dismantled its entir
Mar 2, 20252 min read
ACT NOW: Task Force to Address the Critical Issue of Animal Shelter Overpopulation in San Jose
Across the United States, shelters are facing a crisis of overcrowding, and unfortunately, our community is no exception. San Jose and surrounding areas are experiencing a surge in the homeless animals population. It’s crucial that we come together to advocate for meaningful change within our local municipal shelter. Many changes are needed and will help improve the animals well being at the shelter as well as reduce the intake from illegal breeders and increase public spay-
Aug 5, 20241 min read
ACT NOW: Reopen Public Spay-Neuter to San Jose Communities
San Jose Municipal shelter is full of animals and is over capacity to the point that they stopped accepting animals in need from the community, rescues are operating in crisis mode.. Animals are dumped in increasing numbers all around San Jose and surrounding areas, not neutered, often sick, hit by cars to the point that it is distressing to our communities. At the same time – vital public spay-neuter has been suspended since 2019 and has never resumed, in spite of multiple
Aug 4, 20241 min read
All Past Campaigns

What the Analytics Tell Us:

Animals, saved by rescues from being Euthanized at Shelters

Annie

Age: Unknown, young

Rescued: February 2024

From Euthanasia List at San Jose Animal Care and Services

A lady has found Annie in front of her house. Someone dumped her there. She’s super friendly and sweet. Annie was trapped and brought to the shelter.

Lyric

Age: 7 y.o

Rescued: March 2024

From Euthanasia List at Lancaster and Palmdale CA shelter

Grizzly

Age 2 y.o

Rescued: January 2024

From Euthanasia List at Stanislaus Animal Shelter

Grizzly is healthy, good with all: dogs and people, playful, puppy-like bear.

Tiny

Age: 1 y.o

Rescued: March 2024

From Euthanasia List at Riverside County Department of Animal Services

She’s tiny and most likely very scared in a stressful shelter environment.

Lucky

Age: 2 y.o

Rescued: January 2024

From Euthanasia List at Contra Costa Animal Services

Lucky is a healthy, delightful pup, great with dogs and people, playful and sweet.

Broken Sox

Age: 7 months old

Rescued: March 2024

From Euthanasia List at Front street Animal Shelter Sacramento

Hi, I’m Broken Sox! Might seem like a silly name, but I came in with a broken leg. I have a cast now. Volunteers have said I am a sweet, friendly young pup.

Casanova

Age: young male

Rescued: February 2024

From Euthanasia List at San Jose Animal Care and Services

Scared at the shelter but trusting people who handle him.

Cisco

Age 3 y.o

Rescued: February 2024

From Euthanasia List at Downey Animal CareCenter

Cisco was seized from Compton Animal Rescue after surviving a cruelty case – Neglect and Abuse.He was underweight but friendly.

Axel

Age: 6 months old

Rescued: January 2024

From Euthanasia List at Contra Costa County Animal Services Department

Axel is a happy go lucky little pup; he loves to play; he’s a sweetheart!

Fiona

Age: 5 y.o

Rescued: January 2024

From Euthanasia List at Contra Costa County Animal Services Department

Fiona is a sweet and beautiful girl. Shy with humans at times, she can be skittish but eventually comes around and seeks human touch.

Our Mission:

Popular Tags:

ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION CRISIS:

The percentage of dogs leaving the shelter alive right now is 60% compared to Pre-COVID

QUINN

LAWMAKERS FAIL TO ADDRESS EUTHANASIA PROBLEMS:

WE MUST STOP ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION CRISIS

"First year in Our history we have to Euthanise puppies"

SHELTERS ARE AT DOUBLE CAPACITY

Social Media platforms have become an open playground for backyard breeders

”No-Kill” OR a struggle with High Volume Pet Euthanasia

Featured Campaigns

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Fellow animal lovers of California!

California public Animal Shelters, are facing overwhelming overcrowding

Shop with Purpose — Be the Change!

In Memory of Animals Euthanized in California Shelters

Take Actions - Active Campaigns:

ACT NOW: Fix the Root Causes: Breeder Accountability & Shelter Relief Now

ACT NOW: Your Voice Matters: Help Reintroduce Shelter Transparency Bill

ACT NOW: California Needs a Spay/Neuter Prevention Fund

ACT NOW: California's Animals Need Your Voice - Support Bowie's Law (AB 1482)!

ACT NOW: San Jose's Animal Crisis Is Exploding--Stop Illegal Breeding Now!

ACT NOW: Fix San José - Restore Spay/Neuter & TNR Access Now

ACT NOW: Create a Community Action Committee for San Jose's Animals in Crisis

ACT NOW: Mandatory Animal Identification and Registration in San Jose

ACT NOW: Open Letter to the Governor and California Legislature, A State in Crisis

ACT NOW: Establish a Long Overdue California Spay Neuter Fund!

ACT NOW: Support Shelter Transparency Bill AB 631

ACT NOW: San José: Rebuild Spay-Neuter / TNR Access For Public

ACT NOW: Task Force to Address the Critical Issue of Animal Shelter Overpopulation in San Jose

ACT NOW: Reopen Public Spay-Neuter to San Jose Communities

Dead Bills, Dying Animals: How Legislative Inaction Failed California’s Pets: A Missed Opportunity for Prevention – Bills For Animals that never became LAW

A State in Crisis: Survey Results on Access to Low-Cost Spay-Neuter and TNR Services in California

Hundreds of dogs are getting euthanized due to overpopulation and maxed out animal shelters

Animals, saved by rescues from being Euthanized at Shelters

Annie

Lyric

Grizzly

Tiny

Lucky

Broken Sox

Casanova

Cisco

Axel

Fiona

GET INVOLVED