Yamashiro: OC Animal Care – Mismanagement and Public Deception Regarding Small Pets

In July 2022, Tammy Osborn from OC Animal Care’s Community Outreach reached out to a herpetology group, stating: “If you have any bunny resources, we currently have 70 rabbits. Some of them look like they are purebreds.” This communication raises concerns about why an animal shelter would offer rabbits to a group specializing in reptiles.

The reptile organization responded: “[…] if there are in fact 70, the folks from Arizona said they would meet me in Palm Springs Tuesday to pick them up.”

Last fall, it was revealed that San Diego Humane had transferred rabbits and guinea pigs to Arizona, where they were likely sold as snake food. San Diego Humane responded swiftly, investigating the matter thoroughly and taking immediate action.

However, the OC Register reported that OC Animal Care (OCAC) transferred approximately 500 small pets to a reptile-focused organization. Unlike San Diego Humane, OCAC has defended these actions without providing details or showing concern for the fate of these small pets.

Emails obtained through the Public Records Act, despite significant delays, show that OC Animal Care knowingly transferred these small pets to a reptile group that then sent them to “folks in Arizona.” This raises serious concerns about a potential connection to the San Diego scandal.

OCAC chose secrecy over transparency in handling its small pets. Despite specific community requests for records on animal transfers to Arizona, the county responded: “OC Animal Care has concluded its search and is unable to locate records responsive to your request.”

In December 2023, OC Animal Care spokesperson Alexa Pratt assured the OC Register that the situation in Orange County is different: “Our hearts go out to the team at San Diego Humane Society. Their experience sheds light on some of the challenges of out-of-state placements,” she said. “In light of SDHS’ experience in Arizona, our team searched our own records to ensure we had not partnered with any of the publicly named individuals involved.”

This raises the question: Was it an inability to find the records or an unwillingness to conduct a thorough search? OCAC knew they had transferred at least 70 bunnies to a reptile group, which then sent them to Arizona. It seems county officials were more concerned with the appearance of a possible reptile/Arizona connection than with addressing the underlying issues.

It’s alarming how these small pets seem to be treated as mere commodities. Several questions remain about the recipients of these animals in Arizona—are they real rescuers or profit-driven businesses? If they are indeed rescuers, why aren’t they collecting the animals directly from the shelter? Additionally, why would someone travel 400 to 500 miles from Arizona to participate in a hand-off occurring less than 100 miles from the shelter? These logistical inconsistencies raise further doubts about the true nature of these transfers.

Documentation obtained through Public Records Requests repeatedly shows OC actively soliciting these transfers, opting for the easiest solution rather than ensuring the animals’ welfare. The claims of the reptile group working with a network of local rescuers are questionable, especially when all 70 of the animals pulled from OCAC in July 2022 were sent to one single undisclosed group in Arizona.

Despite these challenges, the kennel and office staff at the OC shelter are working hard but are hindered by ineffective management and flawed policies. OCAC management, particularly newly promoted Director Monica Schmidt, seems detached regarding the welfare of the animals, often appearing to keep such issues out of the public eye. Higher up in the political hierarchy, Cymantha Atkinson and Dylan Wright of OC Community Resources seem to prioritize political maneuvers over genuine community service. At the top, Lilly Simmering, the county’s Deputy CEO, appears mainly concerned with public perception. Her email response to the San Diego Humane scandal—‘Oh no! This is growing’—indicates a focus on avoiding bad publicity. As someone with significant influence over the animal shelter, a more proactive approach, such as calling for an independent investigation to review OCAC’s animal handling practices, would better clarify these issues and demonstrate a true commitment to transparency and accountability.

The elected Board of Supervisors must address these concerns to ensure the welfare of the animals and restore public trust in OC Animal Care.