Esmeralda Figueroa

High metal fences now encircle the shelter, signs still up. Signs that welcome you to the shelter and signs that announce its closure. Where once loud, brash barks could be heard from the parking lot now the area is met with silence.

 

The OC Animal Care shelter used to be located in Orange on City Drive, next to the Theo Lacy Facility (juvenile detention center) and across the street from the Outlets, an outdoor shopping center. The 77-year-old shelter officially closed its doors on March 13th and reopened a week later in Tustin. That week allowed for the animals to be moved safely and comfortably to the new shelter.

 

Brittany Hayes, Public Educational Officer, says the move was an exciting process.

 

“Once construction was completed our goal was to move everything over in

about a week. We brought the supplies over and the animals were transported

after.”  

 

The previous shelter first opened in 1941 with only about 25 dog kennels and even less cat kennels and rabbit hutches. Since then, more than 300 dog kennels were added as well as 150 cat kennels and 30 rabbit hutches.

 

The outdoor kennel area resided just beyond the bunch of gray bungalow buildings in the parking lot. Dogs’ barks welcomed you to the shelter, and dogs’ barks followed you out, although that might not have been the only thing to follow you out.

 

Countless animals have had the good fortune of finding a forever home and countless families have had the good fortune of bringing home the newest addition to their family. A new chapter in people’s lives started here.

 

But it was time for a change.

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The new location is spacious with soothing pastel walls of yellow/orange and blue couches.  The building is quiet upon entering; not at all like walking across the parking lot in City Drive. To the left is a hallway with several rooms devoted to cats and exotics, such as reptiles and guinea pigs.

 

It’s quiet, walking inside one of those rooms. Cats stare out at you with intense gazes, judging, curious. Some stay where they are. Others, a bit more bold, wait right at their kennel’s door, waiting for pets.

 

Several playrooms are located in this hallway as well: two inside and two outside. Cat toys and scratching posts are scattered about the rooms.

 

Beyond the receptionist’s desk in the lobby, where a cheerful woman greets you with a smile, is a door leading to a spacious area outside.

 

This is where the dogs are kept.

 

Six small barn-like buildings are lined up in two rows of three. Where cats greet you with silence dogs greet you with chaos. They jump at the door, tails wagging, ears and tongues flapping. They hope for their forever home.

 

Each animal has their own kennel. The dogs have a more spacious indoor kennel that opens to an outdoor patio. They can catch some sun or stay cool inside the building. Multiple play yards reside outside, complete with playground equipment and scattered toys.

 

With the Tustin location being a lot more spacious, there is now also room for programs and services that wouldn’t have been possible at the previous location. Although volunteering and foster programs were available at the City Drive location, there is now room to do more with it.

 

Other services include:

• Specially-designated rooms for exotic pets

• Learning and training room

• Onsite community service opportunities

 

Hayes goes into more detail:

 

“We have multiple educational programs in partnerships with therapy dog teams

and we visit local elementary schools to teach them how to be responsible pet

owners… OC Animal Care is now striving to be more a part of the community;

we want people to come and visit, take educational and instructional programs

as well as volunteer with us.”

 

Educating the public is what they did. The Tustin location held a Grand Opening Saturday, March 24th. People showed up in droves to take a look around the new facility. Employees and volunteers talked about the services they now offer.

 

Food trucks and face painting gave the event a more carnival-feel, like summer had just begun. That, coupled with how sunny and warm the day was and you get the perfect combination to any event.

 

The shelter also had support from several community partners that day, like the Anaheim Ducks and OC Parks. These groups lent a hand to the shelter with their own little booths and activities.

 

The shelter officially opened up for adoptions the very next day.

 

More than 74 animals found homes.

 

Many more still await theirs.