The San Jose Animal Care Center is currently facing a significant crisis, particularly with its cat population. Employees within the shelter, including Jennifer Flick, have expressed serious concerns about the shelter animals being made available for adoption without receiving a proper diagnosis of potential medical issues. This practice leads to two distressing outcomes - animals are either euthanized to create more space in the shelter or surrendered without undergoing a thorough medical evaluation.

The present conditions at SJACC are unsuitable for any cat. According to the 2023-2024 shelter statistics report, the cat live release rate, which is the number of cats who leave the shelter alive, has dropped from 90% in 2020 to 76% in 2023 due to the shelter prioritizing cats with more vulnerable health conditions as the capacity is extremely limited. This percentage falls significantly below the threshold required to attain the status of a no-kill shelter, which is typically set at 90%. Further, the number of cats that died per month has increased from 23 cats in 2022 to 86 cats in 2023–over 200%. This poses an urgent issue as the cats at SJACC are not receiving the efficient medical attention they require, leading to extended stays at the shelter and preventing other cats in poor health from accessing shelter accommodations.

This situation not only impacts the welfare of these innocent cats but also poses potential health risks to adopters and their existing pets. It is crucial that we ensure every animal's right to receive proper medical care and attention before they are placed in new homes.

We urge the management of San Jose Animal Care Center to implement comprehensive medical evaluations for all animals before making them available for adoption. Furthermore, the allocation of additional funding to enhance the shelter's facilities and programs of spaying and neutering, as well as volunteerism and collaborations with rescue groups should be established. This will help reduce unnecessary euthanasia rates and ensure that each cat receives appropriate care, thereby improving their chances of finding loving forever homes. 

Please sign this petition if you believe in fair treatment and adequate healthcare provisions for our feline friends at the San Jose Animal Care Center.