Buddy is a goofy black beast. There he was, like hundreds of others, stuck in Orange County Animal Care’s shelter.
Until a kindly stranger took him in as a temporary foster.
Folks came over. Buddy licked them and loved them up. The foster’s friends fell for Buddy, and they became his forever family. Now Buddy will spend Christmas with his new pack, including his very own 12-year-old human.
Please! Set aside one’s (legitimate) concerns about how Orange County Animal Care allows the public to access (or not) its animals, and how it allows a reptile group to rescue small animals that snakes like to eat, and how it’s had a lot of tumult and turnover recently …
The animals there need and deserve love!
OC Animal Care is seeking holiday foster families for scores of animals on campus, and it’s just a two- or three-week gig for you commitment-phobes, “to give an animal the opportunity to spend the holidays out of a kennel and in the comfort of a loving home.”
Officials say the Tustin Hangar Fire and local state of emergency directly across the street from the shelter have really impacted operations. Restrictions have loosened, but OC Animal Care is still being cautious until teardown of the remaining structure is complete and asbestos and debris are stabilized.
The shelter team has pivoted to indoor adoption visits and in-kennel enrichment. Volunteers are helping with modified walks. “But that’s no match to a warm bed in a loving home,” officials said.
Since the fire broke out, more than 110 dogs have been sent to foster homes, and more than 150 animals are currently in foster, officials said. Buddy was one of those lucky dogs.
“Our foster team works closely with each family to match them with a pet that will best fit their current family, lifestyle, and household,” OC Animal Care said in its official plea. It “will also provide each foster family with a starter kit containing food and basic supplies including a leash, collar, and tags for your temporary housemate.”
Help animals like Buddy! All dogs are spay/neutered, microchipped, current on DHPP-Bordetella and Rabies vaccines, dewormed, and current on flea preventative. Contact OCACPrograms@occr.ocgov.com to become a foster.
OC Animal Care is the largest municipal animal shelter in Orange County, at 1630 Victory Rd. in Tustin. It serves 14 cities and takes in more than 14,500 animals each year, officials said. For more information and pictures that will make you want to bring them all home, see ocpetinfo.com.
