PETITION TO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM TO END INHUMANE EUTHANASIA PRACTICES AT OC ANIMAL CARE AND THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA SHELTERS Submitted by: Maria Gubel and Concerned Residents of California Date: [Insert Date] ⸻ I. INTRODUCTION This petition is submitted to Governor Gavin Newsom on behalf of animal advocates, rescue organizations, volunteers, and concerned Californians who are deeply disturbed by the ongoing euthanasia of healthy, treatable, and adoptable animals in California’s publicly funded shelters—particularly at OC Animal Care (OCAC) in Tustin, Orange County. Despite years of public concern, media scrutiny, and even a 2023 Orange County Grand Jury investigation, OCAC continues to euthanize kittens, pregnant cats, nursing mothers and their kittens, senior animals, and animals labeled as “behavioral” or “rescue only”—often without offering a valid opportunity for public intervention. This is not merely a local concern. It reflects a systemic, statewide failure to enforce California’s animal welfare laws and uphold ethical sheltering practices. We respectfully urge the Governor to exercise his authority and leadership to end unnecessary euthanasia in all California animal shelters and to require immediate compliance with humane, transparent, and science-based animal care standards. ⸻ II. LEGAL AND ETHICAL FRAMEWORK Existing California laws already provide the foundation for humane shelter practices: • California Penal Code § 597 – Prohibits cruelty to animals, including unjustified or premature killing. • Hayden Law (SB 1785) – Requires shelters to make adoptable and treatable animals available for adoption or rescue and to hold them for a mandated period before euthanasia. • California Food & Agricultural Code § 17005 – Defines “treatable” and “adoptable” animals, including those with manageable behavioral and medical needs. • California Public Records Act (Gov. Code § 6250 et seq.) – Ensures public access to shelter records and mandates transparency in government agencies. Despite these protections, many California shelters continue to: • Euthanize animals labeled “rescue only” with minimal notice and no opportunity for public intervention. • Euthanize dogs based on breed, perceived behavior, or fear/stress exhibited in a shelter environment. • Refuse or delay the release of full medical and behavioral records to concerned citizens, asserting that only 501(c)(3) organizations are entitled to this information. These practices obstruct community rescue efforts and limit public access to both information and the animals themselves. ⸻ III. FINDINGS FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY (2023) In its official report, the Grand Jury found that OCAC: • Failed to maintain transparency regarding euthanasia data. • Lacked adequate community engagement and partnerships. • Had not implemented widely accepted best practices such as robust Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. • Did not have adequate behavioral rehabilitation policies in place. • Operated with inconsistent adherence to California sheltering and euthanasia laws. Despite this report, conditions at OCAC have not meaningfully improved. ⸻ IV. DEMANDS We, the undersigned, respectfully petition Governor Gavin Newsom to mandate the following statewide reforms: A. Immediate Policy Reforms 1. Restrict Euthanasia to Extreme Circumstances • Permissible only in cases of: • Verified, untreatable medical suffering—diagnosed and documented by a licensed veterinarian. • Proven, severe behavioral disorders—assessed by a certified animal behaviorist and supported by a veterinarian. 2. Prohibit Euthanasia Based on Breed, Age, or Shelter-Induced Behavior • Animals may not be euthanized solely due to breed (e.g., pit bulls), age (seniors), or shelter-related behavior (fear, stress, lack of socialization). 3. Protect Vulnerable Populations • Ban the euthanasia of kittens, pregnant cats, and nursing mothers unless a medical emergency is certified by a veterinarian. 4. Implement and Fund a Statewide TNR Program • TNR is a proven, humane method for managing feral cat populations and reducing shelter intake. 5. End the “Rescue Only” Death Sentence • All animals must be accessible for rescue, foster, or adoption unless they meet the strict criteria outlined above. • Allow citizens and rescue groups to request time extensions for any animal, regardless of designation. B. Transparency and Public Access 1. Mandate Monthly Public Reporting • All shelters must release detailed monthly reports on: • Animal intakes (by species, age, breed) • Adoptions and transfers • Euthanasia (with clear reasoning) • Designations such as “rescue only” or “unadoptable” 2. Require Full Medical and Behavioral Disclosure • All citizens must be granted access to records for animals currently or recently in custody, including: • Intake notes • Vaccination history • Injuries or diagnoses • Behavioral evaluations 3. Support Public Advocacy • Shelters must facilitate—not obstruct—community involvement and advocacy. C. Oversight and Enforcement 1. Establish an Independent Oversight Board • This board should: • Monitor compliance with shelter laws. • Investigate complaints from citizens and rescues. • Publish annual audits and findings. • Recommend corrective actions or penalties for noncompliant shelters. ⸻ V. CONCLUSION California shelters must reflect the values of compassion, transparency, and science-based animal care. OC Animal Care has repeatedly failed in its duties despite public funding, community concern, and official investigations. It is time for statewide leadership to take decisive action. We also request that all impounded animals be held for a reasonable, standardized reclaim period across the state, allowing adequate time for owners, volunteers, and advocates to reunite lost pets with their families. Too often, animals are placed for adoption—or worse, euthanized—before any meaningful effort is made to locate their owners. Governor, there are thousands of us working desperately to save these animals, often without cooperation or communication from the shelters themselves. You are in a position to make a historic difference. We understand that ours may be one of many petitions you’ve received—but this is not a competition. This is a unified plea for justice. Please take a moment to understand what people like me endure: the countless hours spent saving one life at a time, the sleepless nights, the compassion fatigue, the anxiety and heartbreak that comes from hearing “No” time and time again. Let me share just one story—out of many: In April, I received a plea about a dog at the Lancaster Animal Shelter. He was scheduled to be euthanized at 5:00 PM that same day, simply because he was fearful, refusing food, and wouldn’t leave his kennel. His sister had just been adopted. He was grieving. I spent over six hours trying to save him. The shelter refused to let me adopt him because he was labeled “rescue only.” They refused to give him one more day. Finally, I found a rescue group and an adopter—just one and a half hours before his scheduled death. At 3:36 PM, his kennel tag was changed to say: “RESCUED.” Today, that dog—now named Gio—lives happily in San Clemente. He’s affectionate, trainable, and deeply loved. He never exhibited any of the behavioral issues cited by the shelter. There are many more stories like Gio’s. I have the documentation if needed. Governor Newsom, as an animal lover yourself, you know how much these lives matter. You have the power to enact meaningful change, and we are counting on you. Please stop the needless euthanasia of animals in California shelters. Every life matters. Every citizen deserves access to the truth. Every shelter must be held accountable. Respectfully submitted, Maria Gubel Animal Lover, Independent Animal Advocate, and Concerned American Citizen for Animal Rights and Welfare