The Fullerton City Council on March 17 approved a new agreement with OC Animal Care, ensuring continued animal control and shelter services while reducing long-term costs to the city.

The action follows approval by the Orange County Board of Supervisors on February 24 of a countywide Master Agreement for animal care services, allowing participating cities to renew contracts ahead of a May 30 expiration date.

Contract Terms and Financial Impact

Under the new agreement, Fullerton will enter a five-year contract running from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031. The revised structure replaces a previous 10-year agreement tied to construction financing of the regional animal shelter in Tustin.

City officials said the new agreement eliminates Fullerton’s annual capital payment for the shelter, resulting in approximately $246,000 in yearly General Fund savings.

For context, the city’s current annual cost for animal care services is about $1.57 million, based on the Fiscal Year 2025–26 Notice of Intent (NOI) provided by the county. Final costs vary annually depending on service demand, including potential spikes from large-scale incidents such as animal cruelty cases or hoarding investigations.

Background on Regional Shelter System

Fullerton is one of 14 cities that partnered with the county in 2016 to fund construction of the regional animal shelter in Tustin. The facility supports animal intake, veterinary care, adoption services, and field operations. Other participating cities include Anaheim, Brea, Huntington Beach, Orange, and Yorba Linda, among others. With the construction financing now nearing completion, cities are transitioning to standard service agreements while continuing to access the county-operated shelter system.

OC Animal Care provides services including:

• Animal control and field response
• Shelter and care for stray and surrendered animals
• Licensing and rabies control
• Animal cruelty investigations
• Public education and outreach

Council Questions and Public Scrutiny

Councilmember Shana Charles pulled the item for discussion, citing public interest and recent media coverage, including reporting by the Fullerton Observer.

During the meeting, OC Animal Care Director Monica Schmidt addressed questions about her experience, shelter operations, and animal welfare practices.

Schmidt said she has worked in animal shelters since 2008, including 11 years at the Houston Humane Society, and has served in Orange County since 2020. She noted that shelter operations have returned to pre-pandemic conditions, with public access available seven days a week. The facility houses between 300 and more than 700 animals at any given time.

Euthanasia Policy and “No-Kill” Debate

Responding to concerns about euthanasia, Schmidt said the agency maintains a dog save rate of 94.26%, which meets the industry threshold for “no-kill” status. However, she emphasized that the term can be misleading.

“We want to be transparent,” Schmidt said, explaining that euthanasia is used only in cases involving severe medical conditions or public safety risks. She added that medical decisions are made by licensed veterinarians, while behavioral cases are reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee.

Addressing Public Allegations

Schmidt also responded to allegations that small animals were being sent to reptile rescues as food, calling the claim misinformation. She said the organization in question, Total Herpetology Reptile and Friends Rescue, is a vetted nonprofit partner that works with a variety of species and participates in community education programs.

Public Comment Raises Broader Concerns

Public speakers raised concerns about shelter practices, including:

• The potential for behavioral misjudgments due to stress in shelter environments
• The suspension of spay-neuter-release programs
• Questions about animal intake policies
• Concerns about whether inter-shelter transfers affect euthanasia statistics
• Some residents urged the city to explore alternative models, including regional “no-kill” shelters operated jointly by cities and supported by volunteers.
• Adoption Efforts and New Programs

City officials and OC Animal Care staff emphasized adoption as the primary goal.
Schmidt highlighted ongoing efforts, including off-site adoption events and a pilot program called “Dogs Day Out,” which allows residents to take adoptable dogs on short outings to increase visibility.

Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra encouraged expanding outreach through city events to connect animals with potential adopters.

Approval and Next Steps

Despite concerns raised during discussion and public comment, the council voted unanimously to approve the agreement. Supporters said the contract ensures continuity of essential services while reducing costs and maintaining Fullerton’s participation in the regional system. The agreement takes effect June 1, 2026.