To the GJ's observation some of the best cared for animals were the cats. They have the freedom to roam an inside room and an outside enclosed screened area. The GJ learned that Santa Maria handles approximately 50 percent of the County's animal service calls. The GJ was dismayed to find that an excessive number of good adoptable animals are destroyed due to overcrowded conditions. It was reported to the GJ that many stray dogs belong to itinerant workers who move and abandon them.
State law mandates that strays be kept six days before being destroyed.
However, animals surrendered by owners are not covered by law and are usually held four days. Lack of space precludes many animals from being kept long enough to be adopted. The 1998-1999 Activity Report shows that the number of dogs destroyed in Santa Maria was 915, Lompoc 429 and Santa Barbara 94. Cats destroyed in Santa Maria totaled 1171, Lompoc 356, and Santa Barbara 181. A policy of County-wide shared Shelter resources would provide relief by enabling the Santa Maria Shelter to relocate some of their animals to the Lompoc and the Santa Barbara Shelters for adoption whenever space permits.