We, the undersigned, demand that the County of Riverside Board of Supervisors immediately cancel their contract with Riverside County Department of Animal Services(RCDAS) and Kristen Hassen , citing Section 5 of the agreement, which allows termination without cause upon thirty days written notice. This action is urgently required due to the gross negligence and fiscal mismanagement that has plagued the RCDAS shelter system. The shelter's operations violate numerous aspects of California’s Hayden Law (SB1785), with rampant issues of roaming animals, insufficient resources, and a consistent failure to support community-based initiatives aimed at helping animals and residents alike.

Despite repeated calls for accountability, the Board of Supervisors has consistently ignored these concerns, allowing decisions to be made that clearly do not serve the best interests of the animals, the taxpayers, or the communities they represent. The ongoing lack of transparency and failure to engage in meaningful oversight has left Riverside County with one of the most poorly regarded shelter systems in the country.
Most alarmingly, the County recently promoted the former Director of Animal Services, Erin Gettis, seemingly as an attempt to sidestep ongoing criticisms. In her place, they appointed someone who worked beneath her, yet no plan for meaningful, educated change was presented alongside this leadership shuffle. This move signals a continuation of the same failed policies and approaches, rather than the functional reform that Riverside's shelter system so desperately needs.

We demand an immediate, multifaceted overhaul of the RCDAS system, starting with a full and transparent audit of the shelter's finances, intake, and euthanasia rates, including the justification behind any euthanasia decisions—particularly those made under the guise of "behavioral issues" without proper evaluation by certified professionals. There must be public disclosure of the qualifications of the behaviorists involved in making these life-or-death decisions, especially in cases where animals are euthanized due to extended stays for behavior concerns.

We also call on the Board of Supervisors to adopt evidence-based, fear-free sheltering practices and to invest in community support services, such as low-cost spay and neuter programs, vaccination clinics, pet food pantries, and humane training and behavior resources. These programs are crucial to addressing the root causes of overpopulation and shelter crowding, particularly in underrepresented and underserved communities. For too long, the county has placed undue burden on overworked rescue organizations without providing the structural support necessary to reduce intake numbers and improve animal outcomes.
We urge the Board to look toward reputable organizations such as:

LAB Ludar Animal Behavior & Consulting
Shelter Playgroup Alliance
My Dog Is My Home
Fear Free Sheltering
Credentialed Behavior Professionals and Shelter Staff versed in low stress shelter handling and best practices
The San Diego Humane Society & Their Behavior Team
Louisiana SPCA
Leadville Lake County Animal Shelter, Colorado

for guidance on how to implement meaningful reforms. If the Board cannot recognize the necessity of these changes and refuses to take immediate action, we call on them to recuse themselves from their positions.
We are also asking the Board to review the troubling history of shelter mismanagement associated with figures such as Kristen Hassen and institutions like Best Friends Animal Society and Human Animal Support Services, both of which have left a trail of concern in other shelter systems. These examples demonstrate the need for a careful, thoughtful, and community-focused approach to shelter reform, rather than continuing down a path of fiscal irresponsibility and poor decision-making.

For example, in Austin, Texas, during Hassen’s tenure, there were ongoing issues with the city’s ability to maintain its no-kill sheltering status. Critics cited mismanagement, particularly regarding how behaviorally challenging dogs were handled. Staff at Austin Animal Center (AAC) reported that dogs with severe behavioral problems were not adequately addressed, resulting in prolonged shelter stays, overcrowding, and, in some cases, euthanasia for convenience. Additionally, there were concerns that APA! (Austin Pets Alive!) was selectively pulling the most adoptable dogs from the system, leaving more difficult cases behind​ The Austin Chronicle 

Furthermore, Riverside County recently engaged Hassen’s consultancy group, Outcomes for Pets, to improve shelter operations in response to criticisms of mismanagement and poor outcomes, including some of the highest euthanasia rates in the country. Despite this partnership, challenges persist, and there are growing frustrations over financial mismanagement, staffing shortages, and a lack of effective leadership. The Riverside shelter system, which faces frequent overcapacity and inadequate community resources, continues to struggle with transparency and proper animal care​ 
Riverside County News Source

Inaction is no longer acceptable. Riverside County is hemorrhaging taxpayer money while perpetuating a broken shelter system that fails animals and residents alike. We will not accept another round of performative actions followed by years of inaction. We demand immediate termination of the RCDAS contract and a commitment to rebuilding our shelter system with transparency, compassion, and accountability at its core.