Our Mission
Dear Fellow Californian Animal 501(c)3 Rescues, Shelters Volunteers, Networkers, and Animal Lovers. Animals are dear to many of our hearts, many of us care deeply for animal welfare in our State.
We are reaching out to you with urgency and determination in response to the alarming state of animal welfare in our beloved state of California. Our platform, “Animal Rescues For Change,” has been established with a singular goal, to:
Unite all Californian animal lovers in combating the heartbreaking reality of being the #1 state for most animals euthanized in shelters in America.
In 2023, California’s shelter animal intake exceeded that of Texas by over 120,000 animals. However, the actual number of homeless animals in the state could be much higher. This is because government-funded shelters across California have actively been declining to accept animals from the public, often instructing individuals to leave them where they are found. As a result, the true homeless animal population in California may be hundreds of thousands higher than reported.
Euthanasia rates growth over the past three years averages 4-25 % ( across various areas). The alarming euthanasia rates in some shelters, reaching as high as 32% and even a staggering 57% are deeply concerning. If this trend continues unchecked, we risk undoing all the progress made in animal welfare over the past several decades. It’s disheartening to think that we could regress to the euthanasia rates of the 90s, undoing the hard work and advancements made in saving animal lives.
Californian communities are facing an unprecedented Pets Overpopulation crisis. The influx of stray animals into shelters has dramatically increased, placing immense strain on the system. This surge in unwanted animals, accidental puppy litters stems from overbreeding and overpopulation, forcing shelters to euthanize thousands of healthy, adoptable animals, including puppies and kittens, as a desperate measure, a situation rarely witnessed before Covid. The existing approach to community cats perpetuates the cycle of unaltered cats producing numerous litters, exacerbating the crisis.
Private rescue organizations are inundated with requests to save animals from the streets, shelter euthanasia lists.
It used to be that mainly older or medically compromised animals were facing euthanasia, but now young and healthy animals are routinely placed on euthanasia lists and losing their lives in thousands.
These rescues are facing an overwhelming number of pleas from the public to take in unwanted animals. Meanwhile, many government shelters, grappling with overcrowded facilities, implement ‘managed intakes’ and are turning away animals in need.
Fresno County is asking for the public’s help after the Fresno County Animal Shelter announced on Wednesday that it is currently over capacity.
The animal shelter, operated by Fresno Humane Animal Services (FHAS), due to a surge in animal intakes, space limitations only allow room for sick, injured, aggressive (danger to the public), and orphaned nursing animals. Healthy animals cannot be accepted until further notice.
Quote From Local Newchannel, Fresno
Due to shelters refusing public intakes, a lot of animals are simply abandoned on the streets. At the same time, municipal shelters have terminated crucial affordable spay-neuter support for communities they serve.
Some shelters are resorting to costly measures like transfers transporting dogs to other cities and states to alleviate overcrowding. While these efforts may provide temporary relief, wouldn’t it be more prudent to allocate California taxpayers’ funds towards prevention measures?
Imagine the impact if these funds were directed towards initiatives aimed at curbing animal overbreeding, such as providing free or low-cost spay-neuter services in our communities. By investing in preventive measures, we can address the root cause of overcrowding and reduce the need for costly interventions like transporting animals across state lines.
Additionally, implementing stricter controls on breeders and sellers within our communities would further contribute to reducing the number of animals entering shelters.
Currently, in CA there is no consequence for an individual with no breeding license whose dog has a litter (accidental or planned) and the individual sells these dogs on social media or on the street, in a parking lot. Not only is there a potential for an innocent living being to end up in the wrong hands, there’s a high probability these dogs won’t be fixed or they will be dumped/abandoned further continuing the cycle.
It’s time to prioritize prevention over costly interventions and ensure that California taxpayers’ funds are used effectively to address the root causes of animal overbreeding.
This proactive approach will not only save taxpayer dollars but also promote responsible pet breeding and ownership practices and ultimately will lead to a more humane and sustainable solution to the issue of animal overpopulation.