We have heard concerns about our reduced adoption hours. Our goal is to expand hours as resources allow. Until then, we feel it’s important to share information and the why’s of where we are today.
-
From January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 92% of dogs and 85% of cats have been adopted, rescued or returned to their owners. To view detailed statistics, visit ABOUT US
-
As a cost saving and health measure during COVID, the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Center froze several positions. Additionally, the Center is struggling with staff and volunteers calling in sick related to COVID and general job turnover as the work is harder than anticipated. These shortages place a constraint on our ability to expand our adoption hours.
-
The frozen positions have been funded again in July 2022; however, it will take time to fill all vacancies. Working in Animal Welfare is tough. It is more than playing with puppies and kittens. We are looking for compassionate and empathetic people who don’t mind poop and bodily fluids, can handle aggressive and dangerous animals and people, and can function in a busy, physical, and high stress environment. If this is you, apply online at City of Rancho Cucamonga Careers
-
Animal welfare has changed a lot in the last few years. Many animal shelters throughout California have reduced public hours, changed hours, or have instituted appointment-based services. The reasons: reduced staffing levels, changes in the number and types of animals received, and a better understanding of how important quiet kennels are to improving the mental and physical health of the animals in our care. Less people in the kennels allows the dogs and cats to calmly settle in instead of constantly barking and being in an anxious and stressed state. It also reduces the accidental spread of disease from one kennel to another. Both quiet kennels and less disease help animals get adopted faster. Making changes that are in the best interest of our animals is our foremost focus.
-
We have experienced an increase in animals surrendered that require a lot of medical care and behavior rehabilitation before they can be adopted. Our team has a strong commitment to rehab these animals. To do so, there is a lot of behind the scenes work that must happen every-day. When we are not open for adoptions, we are providing vet care, bottle feeding kittens, cleaning, feeding, socializing, and walking animals. We are conducting behavior and training sessions and working on building trust with those animals that are terrified or have come from a bad situation. We are reuniting lost pets with their owners, working with rescue partners, rehabilitating wildlife, coordinating the TNR program, and problem solving our resident’s animal concerns. Our Animal Services Officers are in the field responding to animal emergencies, investigating cases of animal cruelty, responding to bats with rabies, and rescuing animals in need. The increased medical care, behavior rehabilitation, and field work involves a lot of our professional staff’s time and is equally as important as public visitation hour. We need to balance both.
-
There is a national shortage of veterinarians and veterinary support staff. This has also impacted our recruitments for veterinary professionals and has expanded the time it takes to get animals spayed and neutered so they can go to their new homes. We must coordinate adoptions hours with the availability of our outside partners who greatly assist us. If you are a veterinarian or a registered veterinary technician and would like to help, email us at RCPets@cityofrc.us
For more information on our services, joining our foster program, or becoming a volunteer, visit www.RCPets.info.