Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has released its fourth annual "Year-End Report," a testament to tireless endeavors in animal welfare for the 2024 fiscal year. According to the Orange County Government press release, the shelter has announced a significant achievement with a live release rate of 91% for dogs and 88% for cats, culminating in an 89% overall rate. "It's been a challenging year in regard to pet intakes," Diane Summers, Manager for OCAS, told the press, highlighting the trials the shelter has faced while also celebrating the success of their programs.
OCAS quickly rehomed 8,086 pets throughout the year and successfully reunited 1,234 with their owners. Moreover, 7,436 spay/neuter surgeries helped control the pet population. The organization had to work fervently to manage the intake and sustain the community's trust through outreach, resulting in fostering 1,775 pets and onboarding 179 new foster parents. OCAS saw a staggering 66,517 shelter visitors, demonstrating public engagement and interest.
The community has shown substantial support for the shelter's mission. With a network encompassing 402 foster parents, 330 volunteers, and 127 rescue groups, OCAS could care for homeless pets across the county. Social media played a pivotal role, connecting over 85,000 followers on Facebook and 76,000 on Instagram to the shelter's activities and adoptable animals.
The fiscal report also notes that OCAS received $111,081 in grants for local non-profit organizations, a boon for their collaborative animal rescue and care efforts. Across the year, the shelter dealt with 14,854 domestic animal impounds and responded to 31,483 citizen requests, metrics that quantify the scope of OCAS's imperative operation.
