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The rate of behavioral euthanasia of dogs has increased significantly over the last 2 years. <br /> Orange County Animal Care does not employ a professional or trained and <br /> certified animal behaviorist to oversee the shelter's dog enrichment program, <br /> resulting in dogs with declining behavior being placed at greater risk of being euthanized. <br /> While many county and city animal shelters throughout the state have active Trap, Neuter, and <br /> Return programs, Orange County Animal Care stopped its Trap, Neuter, and Return program, <br /> reportedly on the basis of the County <br /> Counsel's legal opinion that the program violates a California statute related to willful animal <br /> abandonment. <br /> The termination of the Trap, Neuter, and Return program is correlated with an increase in adult <br /> cat euthanasia rate at the shelter. <br /> F There have been public concerns and requests expressed over the years for <br /> public programs to include a spay/neuter program by Orange County Animal Care. <br /> Communication / Outreach <br /> F13 The current adoption appointment system restricts public access to the dog <br /> kennels, thereby limiting potential adopters' access to all available animals. <br /> F14 Orange County Animal Care's engagement with some animal rescue partners is negatively <br /> impacted due to differences of opinion in appropriate animal care policy. <br /> F15 Internal and community engagement does not adequately communicate the shelter's mission <br /> and operating strategy. <br /> F1 6 The information currently on the Orange County Animal Care website for low- cost spay/neuter <br /> is not up to date with regard to referrals and prices for spay/neuter procedures. <br /> Impediments to the Investigation <br /> F17 The OC County Counsel's office misstated to the Grand Jury the scope of its commitment to <br /> serving and assisting the Grand Jury in its investigations into County governance respecting <br /> managing conflicts between the Board of Supervisors, OC departments and agency clients, <br /> and the Grand Jury. <br /> RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> Management: <br /> R1 By October 1, 2023, OC Human Resource Services should review and update recruitment <br /> strategies to significantly increase the timeliness of recruitment of vacant positions and to <br /> anticipate vacancies due to retirement, resignations, transfers. (F3) <br /> R2 By December 31, 2023, Orange County Animal Care, OC Community <br /> Resources, and OC Human Resource Services should review hiring practices to facilitate process <br /> improvements to expedite filling OCAC vacancies. (F3) <br /> R3 By October 1, 2023, OC Community Resources and Orange County Animal <br /> Care should review their current staffing allocations of Animal Care Attendants to reflect NACA <br /> 2 <br />