Item 13 - OC Grand Jury's Investigative Report, Findings, and Recommendations Regarding Group Homes and the Orange County Animal Care Shelter

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Gimme Shelter and a Pound of Advice euthanasia rate before COVID-19 and during the TNR program was 20.9%. The average adult cat euthanasia rate after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted but still during the termination of the TNR program (Q3 2021 — Q4 2022) was 25.4%. The increase in the rate of adult cat euthanasia following termination of the TNR program but after COVID- 19 restrictions were lifted is 21 % over the pre-TNR term ination/pre-COVID-19 restrictions rate. Again, the increase is statistically significant. Comparing adult cat euthanasia rates pre-TNR and post-TNR and pre- and post-COVID- 19 restrictions, it appears both COVID-19 restrictions and the termination of the TNR program correlate to an increase in adult cat euthanasia rate at the shelter. Dog Euthanasia: OCAC euthanizes animals fora variety of reasons, including but not limited to injuries beyond redemptive medical care, age, and behavior. When OCAC euthanizes a dog for medical reasons, the Chief Veterinarian or a staff veterinarian must approve the procedure. In the case of behavior -related euthanasia, approval is determined by a five - member Behavior Evaluation Committee. OCAC euthanizes dogs that are determined to have irredeemable behavioral issues, including displays of aggression toward people or other animals, bites, and severe kennel stress. The five members of the Behavior Evaluation Committee include staff members representing Field Operations, Animal Services Operations, the Community Outreach team, the Chief Veterinarian, and a representative from senior management. While there are five staff members represented on the Behavior Evaluation Committee, only three participants are voting members. The Chief Veterinarian and the member from senior management serve only as advisory members. A majority of the three voting members of the committee must approve a behavioral euthanasia — that is, at least two of the three voting members must approve. OCAC's_Behavior Evaluation. Committee evaluates dogs for euthanasia without written guidelines, policies, or procedures, resulting in inconsistent outcomes over time. Behavior -evaluated euthanasia outcomes are dependent on the experience and personal considerations of the individual committee members and management rather than written objective standards. The voting members of the Behavior Evaluation - Committee may -evaluate behavior based on their own observations and/or on the written reports of other staff members. The voting members are not required to directly observe a dog's behavior, and in some cases have not made direct observation, but they do have access to video documentation of a dog's behavior. Voting members come to their own conclusions based on their own understanding of dog behavior and rehabilitative potential. OCAC does not have a professional licensed, trained, or certified animal behaviorist on - _ - --staff to oversee the dog enrichment programs, resulting in dogs with declining behavior _ being placed at greater risk of being euthanized. Voting members of the Behavior Evaluation Committee are not required to certify or participate in animal behavior education programs. The Behavior Evaluation Committee meets once per week and participation of the voting member from any one of the three voting departments may be ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY 2022 1 2023 PAGE 25 OF 51