In 2014, I immersed myself in the heart-wrenching, but rewarding world of animal rescue. Working with various organizations in California and Oregon, we saw first-hand the significant challenges our community faces when it comes to protecting and caring for abandoned and lost animals.

Fresno, till recently, had only one viable option - the CCSPCA. This organization, responsible for managing animal control within city limits, had high euthanizing rates and lacked adequate transparency with the community and fellow rescue partners. Understandably, it led to an outcry for change within our city.

Responding to this demand, a $20 million dollar animal control facility was opened in 2022, designed to provide a much-needed alternative and to inspire hope. Unfortunately, this state-of-the-art facility closed it's doors to most strays. Only strays that are ill, aggressive, or nursing are admitted. 

With this petition, we aim to shed light on the need to reopen this facility, to give our furry friends the care they deserve and to restore faith in animal welfare within our community in Fresno. This facility holds the promise of better care, more adoptions, and a brighter future for animals in Fresno. Reopening it is not just the need of the hour; it is the voice of our hearts!

It is crucial for this facility to reopen for several reasons.

One key reason is that local children will be going back to school on August 19th, and they will be walking to and from school while stray dogs of various sizes are roaming freely. Most recently, a stray dog locally was involved in a mauling that resulted in a death in July.

It is unsafe for drivers when dogs run loose in traffic, creating a safety risk.

There is a greater risk of animal diseases causing an outbreak when dogs run loose.

Dogs running loose and producing unwanted puppies who grow up on the streets can develop feral behaviors, making rehabilitation challenging.

We urge our local government and animal control authorities to prioritize this cause. Let's make a difference together. Sign this petition to show your support for reopening our $20 Million dollar animal control facility. Stand with us as we strive to make Fresno a safer, happier place for all creatures and humans.

These photos are a few from this week on our local "Lost and Found" Facebook page. Unless these dogs are sick, actively aggressive, a mother with a litter, they will not be accepted by animal control and will continue to roam the streets, posing a risk to community children and civilians. The crisis will only worsen as strays continue to produce unwanted puppies if left on the streets. This situation also complicates efforts to reunite lost animals with their owners.