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A holiday message from Ann Dunn regarding large dogs at OAS
Throughout 2023, you’ve heard from me as OAS faced a crisis with an influx of big dogs surpassing our capacity. I’ve shared the challenges of housing dogs in half kennels and contemplating euthanasia for adoptable dogs due to space constraints.
Being transparent about our situation made me a bit nervous, knowing some might misunderstand our efforts or think we didn’t care enough. The love and compassion from this community, along with the support through adoptions, volunteering, fostering, and donations to Friends of Oakland Animal Services, have truly heartened me.
While the work is always challenging, this year presented an unprecedented spike in intake. From January to November 2023, we took in 3,312 dogs, averaging ten dogs daily. That’s 749 more dogs than in 2022, a 23% increase in just one year. Truly daunting.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of OAS volunteers, dog adoptions have grown from 355 in 2019 and 925 in 2022 to 1,325 this year. Since the introduction of the foster program for big dogs in June 2020, the numbers have surged, with 1,000 dogs or more expected in foster by year-end.
As of today, despite the surge in intake, our euthanasia rate for dogs, at 5.3%, is the lowest in OAS history. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for the ongoing outpouring of support.
Earlier this year, we launched a page on our website and a Facebook page to highlight adoptable dogs at the highest risk for euthanasia, providing specific details for those interested. Dogs listed as “priority” face extreme stress or have adoption barriers, like chronic medical conditions. Dogs with deadlines would be euthanized if not adopted, fostered, or transferred by a set date. While heartbreaking, we’ve euthanized only five dogs with deadlines, a minor miracle given the massive intake spike.
In times of crisis, our big dog shelter population was around 100, exceeding the capacity of 73. As of now, we have 65 big dogs in the shelter, and although we remain full with an average of ten dogs coming in daily, we are not in crisis. Additionally, 101 dogs are in foster homes, providing a more relaxed environment than a stressful shelter. While these dogs still need permanent homes, this program is a game-changer.
Last week, we posted four dogs with deadlines — Ruefuss, Liv, Obi, and Zaki. They remain priority dogs (and urgently need to leave the shelter!), but for now, we’ve removed the deadline since we have a bit more space. This is what is possible when this community of staff, volunteers, fosters, FOAS supporters and advocates unite to help animals in need.
As animals continue to come in daily, our situation may change by the time you read this. We anticipate a spike in intake before year-end, typical around the holidays. Your help is still needed, but let’s take this moment to reflect on all that this community has achieved for dogs in need.
Thank you!
-Ann
Double your impact on Giving Tuesday!
We have a match! By donating this month, you can make TWICE the impact for Oakland’s neediest animals thanks to a generous donor who is providing a $50,000 Giving Tuesday match.
Your Giving Tuesday donation will support life-saving programs at the shelter to ensure each animal receives the care they deserve to get a chance to find a home, health, and happiness.
Oakland Animal Services is Oakland’s only open-admissions shelter, meaning every animal — homeless, orphaned, injured, unwanted, lost, abandoned, and mistreated — is welcomed.
Last year the shelter took in over 6,300 animals. Intake numbers continue to climb, and OAS needs your support now more than ever.
Support OAS with the purchase of tarot-inspired tees!
Our new limited-release Friends of Oakland Animal Services design is now available for one week only! These fabulous tarot card inspired tees come in a variety of styles with $8 from each sale going directly to FOAS to support the life-saving work at OAS.
Purchase your shirts now at www.float.org/foas!
Adoption fees for dogs and cats waived in October
For the month of October, Oakland Animal Services (OAS) is partnering with Adopt a Pet for Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. OAS is one of four shelters nationally that Adopt A Pet is working with and to celebrate, adoption fees are being waived for the entire month. (Dog license fees of $17 still apply for Oakland residents). There will also be a fun event on October 28 (stay tuned for details).
Additionally, adoptions fees for cats will be waived! The shelter is currently housing more cats than ever before and to encourage adoptions, fees for cats will be waived for the rest of the month.
OAS will continue to screen all adopters to ensure that the pet and adopter(s) are appropriately matched. You can learn more about the adoption process here.
Bigger and Badder: Bad Art 4 is here!
New plea for rabbit fosters!
Rabbit fosters urgently needed!
The shelter has seen an influx of rabbits: 16 rabbits were surrendered in recent days, putting the rabbit population at the shelter alone at 40 (we have several in foster). This means we need more rabbit fosters to help us!
We provide all the supplies and support! Learn more about becoming a rabbit foster here.
Help us find homes for 75 Big Dogs!
Our adoptable big dogs need your help at OAS! Starting Thursday May 11, we are doing another big push to #emptytheshelter:
- We’re facing an overcrowding situation and desperately need adopters.
- Large dogs intake has increased by 24% compared to last year.
- We can no longer house this number of dogs humanely.
- On average, 10 large dogs arrive at our shelter every day.
- Dogs in half kennels experience increased stress and medical issues.
- We need the community to come adopt this week. Share share share!
- Adopting ANY big dog (over 25 pounds) buys time and space for other dogs.
- Adopting from a foster home helps make space in the shelter.
- Our goal is to get 75 large dogs adopted from May 11-14.
- ️ Adoption fees will be waived for dogs over 25 pounds!!
Join us on Saturday, May 13, for the Playgroup Rockstars Adoption Event! Extended adoption hours from noon to 5pm, featuring playgroups for our dogs.
⏰ Adoption hours are extended:
Thursday 12-7pm,
Friday-Saturday 12-5pm,
Sunday 12-3pm.
Most dog/dog introductions will be waived.
The first 5 people adopting 2 large dog-social dogs receive a $100 gift certificate from Petco.
❤️ Help us find furever homes for these deserving and lovable dogs! Come, adopt, and make a difference!
PawParazzi at the Pet Gala, registration now open
Join the Friends of Oakland Animal Services for an unforgettable night of celebration and fundraising in honor of Oakland’s animals! Click for more details and information